Mbappe and Haaland preparing to help fire France and Norway to the top of Group I

The Frenchman ended his 2025/26 campaign with 42 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, whilst the Norwegian plundered 38 for Man City.

Mbappe gunning for Messi's record

Mbappe will be looking to continue his current scoring form and find the goals which would draw him level, or even surpass, Lionel Messi's 18, which are currently the most scored in WC history.

With 16 already to his name, in 12 fewer WC matches played than the Argentinian's 28, Messi's total is well within range for Mbappe, who is currently level with the previous record holder, Miroslav Klose.

Haaland also has a shot at history, as he could become only the third player to score 2+ goals in the first three matches of his WC career.

It shouldn't be forgotten just how much firepower both sides have aside from their biggest names, either.

Stunning front lines for both teams

For France, supplementing Mbappe in attack is current Ballon d'Or winner, Ousmane Dembele, his teammate Desire Doue (or another PSG man in Bradley Barcola should Deschamps choose), and Michael Olise, fresh from a stunning campaign with Bayern Munich.

Norway's Antonio Nusa has proved to be a real thorn in the side of almost every opponent he's come up against of late, and his mixture of pace, directness and skill has seen defenders bamboozled and often embarrassed by his trickery.

If the Norwegians decide to go route one to mix things up, however, then they have Alexander Sorloth as a secondary target man behind Haaland.

An expected 4-3-3 from Stale Solbakken might force Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni a little further forward than they would like, too, and if they're pulled away from their respective positions in front of the back four, that will allow Martin Odegaard, in particular, the room to create chances. 

Top spot at stake

With both countries already safely through to the knockout stage of the World Cup, one could take the view that there is only pride to play for in this one, and that either manager could rest players in order that they're fresh for upcoming games.

However, with the top spot at stake and the chance of a different route to potential glory, the expectation will be that both sides will give it everything.

With 13 goals scored between them in their opening two games against Senegal and Iraq, both Les Bleus and the Vikings are set up to play front-foot, attacking football from the first whistle.

World Cup history certainly favours the two-time winners, and Didier Deschamps will be keen to put a third star on the shirt before he hands the managerial reins over to former teammate, Zinedine Zidane.

Both sides in great form

Norway have never previously beaten a European opponent at the tournament in five previous attempts (D2, L3), and they have to win this match in order to top the group, as the French currently have the better goal difference of the two teams.

Furthermore, Les Bleus have won 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions (D1, L1), have scored at least twice in 14 of their last 15, and also have five consecutive wins against European opposition at the World Cup.

If supporters were looking for a further omen, the last time France managed to win all three of their group stage matches at the tournament, they went on to win it, back in 1998.

Haaland and Odegaard et al can at least point to their team's own form in the lead-up to the showpiece, where they've scored for fun and won 14 games from their last 18 in all competitions (D3, L1).

Ryerson could be missed by Norway

Though the two countries have never faced each other at the World Cup, they've played eight times to date, with both winning two and drawing the other four games.

Norway last triumphed over this opponent back in August 2010, when Erik Huseklepp's second-half brace saw them go on to win 2-1 at the Ullevaal Stadium, whilst France were the 4-0 victors the last time they met in May 2014.

An Olivier Giroud brace and strikes from Paul Pogba and Loic Remy eased the French to a convincing win.

Deschamps will be delighted that his side has a clean bill of health, and his only issues will be in terms of which players he selects, whereas Solbakken will likely be without the services of Julian Ryerson, which could prove pivotal.

Follow the match with Flashscore here.

Jason Pettigrove has been the features writer for Flashscore since 2025, utilising Opta data to form the basis of his articles. He has previously worked for high profile football clubs, news and media outlets, both in print and digital, and can usually be found watching FC Barcelona when time permits. You can read more of his pieces here.