Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) celebrates with teammates after a 3-2 over Senegal in a FIFA World Cup match Monday at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Norway will bench Erling Haaland and nine other starters for a World Cup Group I finale against France, according to lineups released Friday by FIFA.
Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is the only starter from the Norwegians’ first two group stage games who remains in the starting lineup for the match, which will kick off at 3 p.m. EDT Friday in Foxborough, Mass.
The benched cast includes goalie Orjan Nyland, Arsenal midfielder Martin Odergaard and Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth.
France’s starting lineup still features Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, among other stars.
The No. 22 Norwegians (2-0-0) sit in second place in Group I, behind the No. 2 French (2-0-0). Both teams already secured entry into the knockout stage.
France can secure the group title with a win or draw and would face in the Round of 32. The winner of Group I will take on a third-place team from Group C, D, F, G or H in the Round of 32.
The second-place team from Group I will meet the No. 30 Ivory Coast in the first round of the knockout stage. Friday’s match between the Norwegians and French will air on Fox.
FIFA World Cup: Norway defeats Senegal
Norway’s Marcus Holmgren Pedersen celebrates after scoring against Senegal in the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 22, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
