Erling Haaland is set to begin Norway’s World Cup Group I meeting with France on the bench, as coach Stale Solbakken prepares major changes to his side. Sources told ESPN that Norway plan to rest 10 players, even with top spot in the group still within reach.
The move comes with both teams already through to the round of 32 after winning their first two matches. France lead the group on goal difference, while a draw in Foxborough would be enough for the 2018 World Cup winners to set up a round-of-32 meeting with a third-place qualifier in New Jersey next Tuesday.
Haaland’s Golden Boot chase takes a hit
Haaland’s place on the substitutes’ bench also affects his push for the Golden Boot. The Manchester City forward is tied on four goals with Kylian Mbappé and sits one behind Lionel Messi, so any reduced minutes could make the race tighter.
Norway still have a clear incentive to finish first in the group. Winning would avoid a round-of-32 clash against Ivory Coast in Dallas and could also shape a potential round-of-16 path that includes Brazil in New Jersey.
According to www.espn.com, Benfica midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is the only player expected to keep his starting spot from Norway’s 3-2 win against Senegal on Monday. That points to a heavily rotated lineup as Solbakken prioritizes freshness for the knockout stage.
The decision leaves one of the tournament’s biggest individual draws out of the starting XI for a match that still carries major group implications. It also underlines how both teams have already shifted their focus toward the next stage rather than simply chasing the immediate result.