France Faces Norway in Group I Showdown

France roll the dice for their final Group I showdown with Norway, making four changes but keeping their star-studded front line intact on a night that will unfold without Didier Deschamps on the touchline.

Assistant coach Guy Stephan steps in to lead the side after Deschamps returned home following the death of his mother, a sombre backdrop to a match that still crackles with competitive edge. Both France and Norway need a win to finish top of the group. There is no room for a gentle run-out here.

Maxence Lacroix comes into the defence, joined by Theo Hernandez, who offers thrust and width down the flank. Aurelien Tchouameni is restored in midfield, bringing control and balance in the centre of the pitch, while Desire Doue is handed a start further forward, a bold nod to youthful energy on a high-stakes night.

The core of France’s threat, though, remains untouched. Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all start, a first-choice attacking trio built for speed, incision and chaos in transition. With those three on the pitch, France can turn any passage of play into a decisive moment.

On the other side, Norway spring the biggest surprise of the evening: Erling Haaland begins on the bench. It is a striking call in a game that could shape the group, and it throws the spotlight onto Norway’s supporting cast to carry the early burden. Haaland’s presence among the substitutes also lingers as a tactical weapon, a looming threat for the second half if the game tightens.

So the equation is simple. A win secures top spot. The margins, as ever at this level, will be anything but.