Pre-matchFriday, June 26

Les Bleus vs the Viking Horde: Group I's Thriller at the Top

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France and Norway meet in a blockbuster Group I finale with both sides already on six points, meaning only goal difference separates first from second — and the loser could still go through, but nobody wants to find out the hard way.

A thumping 60 of your 74 poolmates are backing France, aligning neatly with the bookmakers who make Les Bleus clear favourites — but two brave souls have gone full Viking and picked Norway to cause the upset of the round.

What's at Stake: The Maths Are Simple, the Football Won't Be

Going into Matchday 3, France sit top of Group I on six points with a goal difference of +5, Norway right behind them also on six but a single goal back at +4. Senegal and Iraq are both already eliminated on zero points, so both sides are through — but the gap between first and second matters enormously for the knockout draw. A France win keeps them in pole position; a Norway win and Erling Haaland's men leapfrog Les Bleus to top the group. A draw leaves France top on goal difference. In other words: there are no real stakes for elimination, but enormous stakes for pride, seeding, and the path through the bracket. Expect neither side to park the bus.

Team News and Expected Lineups: Mbappé vs Haaland, the Main Event

France go in with their full-strength XI available. Kylian Mbappé leads the line, fresh off a brace in the opener, with Antoine Griezmann pulling strings behind him and Aurélien Tchouaméni anchoring midfield. Mike Maignan is confirmed in goal, the back four expected to feature Theo Hernández at left back and Jules Koundé on the right. Norway, meanwhile, are built around one man and everyone knows it: Erling Haaland, who has already rattled in goals in Matchday 1 and 2, is the central threat and the axis around which everything Norway do revolves. Martin Ødegaard is fit and will orchestrate from the base of the attack, while Sander Berge provides the defensive midfield shield. Norway's defensive shape — compact, disciplined, quick to transition — is designed precisely to funnel the ball to Haaland on the break.

The Key Matchup: Upamecano vs Haaland — A Colossus Meets an Immovable Object

The tactical heart of this game is Dayot Upamecano against Erling Haaland. The Bayern Munich centre-back is quick and aggressive — he'll need to be. Haaland at this tournament has been a force of nature: powerful in the air, lethal in behind, and seemingly impossible to keep quiet for a full 90 minutes. If France can keep Haaland scoreless, their quality through midfield and in behind should eventually tell. If Haaland gets even one clean chance in a dangerous position, all bets are off. This is the matchup that decides the game, and it's as good a centre-back vs centre-forward duel as you'll find anywhere in world football right now.

Odds and Pool Verdict: The Pool Agrees With the Bookies — Mostly

The betting markets have France as clear favourites for this one, reflecting their superior squad depth and tournament pedigree. Norway are respected — this is not a mismatch — but the weight of money is firmly on Les Bleus. Your pool reflects that consensus: 60 of 74 picks go France, 12 have plumped for the draw (sensible, given both sides are already through and might ease off), and just 2 have staked their pick on a Norwegian victory. The most popular scoreline is 2-1 to France (22 picks), followed by 2-0 (14 picks) and 1-0 (10 picks) — a clear signal the pool expects France to win, but not to run riot. If Haaland has other ideas, those two Norway backers will be the toast of the group chat.

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