Mbappe faces Haaland as France, Norway meet in Group I finale

The final World Cup Group I match between France and Norway has generated headlines as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland prepare to go head-to-head on Friday.

The two star forwards are already among the leading contenders for the World Cup Golden Boot, having both scored twice in each of their first two games.

Kylian Mbappe (R) of France and Krepin Diatta of Senegal compete during the group I match between France and Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium in New York, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

France and Norway are level on six points after two matches and have both already qualified. France has a superior goal difference and will advance as group winner with a draw.

Haaland had played down the importance of the match after Norway's win over Senegal, saying that simply qualifying had already met the team's goal.

"Honestly I don't care too much [about the France game]," the Manchester City striker said. "We're through, we managed to get through, which is incredible. So I couldn't care too much about that game now. They [France] are probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament."

But French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni joked about Haaland's comments at Thursday's pre-match press conference.

"Do you trust him?" Tchouameni said. "Honestly I don't know if he was kidding or not. We're just going to stay focused on ourselves, game after game. We know that we have to win and tomorrow is the next battle."

The Real Madrid midfielder described the Norwegian striker as one of the most dangerous players in world football.

"He can score at any moment. That's it, he's a world-class player. We know he's very clinical in front of goal. So those little lapses, those brief moments when we're not fully focused, we could pay for them dearly," he said. "We know we'll be up against a very strong team tomorrow, but we'll be ready for that battle."

Tchouameni also praised Mbappe.

"Kylian has always been exceptionally strong. Throughout his career, he's always had key moments, especially on big occasions. That's what makes him so special. And he's still proving it at this World Cup," he said.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken believes the two forwards have different styles, but said both will stay at the top of the game for years to come.

"I think both of them will have many good years in front of them and can keep continuing to make headlines all over the world, I'm pretty sure about that," he said on Thursday.

"They are two different kinds of players and they are playing in different leagues and one is playing for a big country, one is playing for a small country, so there are also differences. But I agree they will continue to make headlines in the coming years as well because they are the best in their positions," he added.

Solbakken said there will be some changes to Norway's lineup but that the team aims to win the game.

"It will be some changes in the line-up, due that the schedule is very tight now," he said. "There's a lot of traveling. That takes its toll as well. So it will be changes, but obviously we will go all in to win the game."

"I think we can learn a lot from France," he added. "They have been in this situation many times, the latest two World Cups."

"Obviously they have great management, great players, but they have also been smart in how they attack those challenges and that's why they have won it once (2018) and been runners-up the second one (2022)."

Solbakken also offered condolences to France coach Didier Deschamps, who has flown home after the death of his mother.

"I'm naturally very saddened by this and offer my deepest condolences to Deschamps and his family, of course," Solbakken said. "But I believe the team is in good hands. They're very experienced players with plenty of tournament experience. And with an experienced assistant coach who's been with them since 2012, I'm sure they'll manage to sort things out very well amongst themselves during the match."