World Cup 2026: Erling Haaland starts on the bench as Norway makes 10 changes for France clash

The much-anticipated World Cup meeting between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé may not happen after all.

As Norway and France released their starting lineups before Friday afternoon's Group I matchup at Gillette Stadium, Haaland is among 10 changes made by manager Ståle Solbakken. The striker will start on the bench, while Mbappé will feature among the starters for France.

Captain Martin Ødegaard will also start the match on the Norway bench. Patrick Berg will wear the captain's armband instead.

Both Norway and France have qualified for the Round of 32, but Friday's match will determine the champion of the group. Entering the game, France leads on goal differential, meaning a draw will be enough to win the group. With FIFA instituting head-to-head as the first tiebreaker, Haaland's side will need a victory to secure a Tuesday knockout stage match in at MetLife Stadium against a third-place team from Groups C, D, F, G or H. Finishing in second will earn them a meeting with Ivory Coast.

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Should Haaland not play at all against France, it would also hinder his chances at the Golden Boot as the top goal scorer of the World Cup. As group stage play nears its end, Haaland is tied for second on four goals with Mbappé and Brazil's Vinícius Júnior. All three are one goal behind Argentina's Lionel Messi (5 goals).

The 10 changes made by Solbakken signals his preference to rest his players for the knockout round. No Norway players have picked up yellow cards in their opening two matches, meaning no one is at risk entering the France game of picking up a suspension should they receive a caution.