France secured top spot in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway, completing the group stage with a perfect record and advancing to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s strongest-performing teams.

The Group I fixture, played at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, determined the final standings after both teams had already booked their places in the knockout stage. France needed only a draw to finish first in the group but produced an emphatic performance to claim all three points.

Ousmane Dembélé was the standout performer, scoring a first-half hat-trick to put France firmly in control before the break. The forward capitalised on Norway’s defensive lapses to register three goals within 25 minutes, giving Didier Deschamps’ side a comfortable advantage.

Norway responded after halftime through Thelo Aasgaard, whose goal briefly reduced the deficit and offered hope of a comeback. However, France continued to dominate possession and create chances, limiting Norway’s opportunities for a sustained response.

Goalkeeper Mike Maignan further strengthened France’s position by saving a second-half penalty, denying Norway a chance to narrow the gap further. Substitute Désiré Doué added France’s fourth goal in stoppage time to complete a comprehensive victory.

The result ensured France finished top of Group I with maximum points from three matches, underlining its consistency throughout the group stage. Norway progressed as runners-up despite the defeat, having accumulated enough points from its earlier fixtures to secure qualification for the Round of 32.

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken made several changes to his starting lineup, opting to rest key players, including Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, after the team’s qualification had already been confirmed. Speaking after the match, Solbakken said squad rotation was intended to manage player workload ahead of the knockout phase.

France’s victory continued an impressive group-stage campaign in which the team combined defensive discipline with attacking efficiency. The French side has been among the tournament’s most consistent performers, with its depth allowing the coaching staff to rotate players while maintaining a high level of performance.

For Norway, the defeat ended an otherwise encouraging group-stage campaign. The Scandinavian side reached the knockout rounds after returning to the World Cup with a squad featuring a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent. Despite the heavy loss, qualification represents an important milestone as the team prepares for its first knockout match of the tournament.

The outcome also finalised the Round of 32 fixtures for both teams. France will face Sweden in its opening knockout match, while Norway has been paired with Ivory Coast as the expanded 48-team tournament moves into the elimination stage.

With the group phase complete, attention now shifts to the knockout rounds, where France will seek to maintain its unbeaten run and strengthen its pursuit of another World Cup title. Norway, meanwhile, will look to recover from its defeat and build on the performances that secured its progression from the group stage.