France, Norway Meet on 6 Points as Group I Finish Reshapes World Cup Bracket
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 26
France, Norway Meet on 6 Points as Group I Finish Reshapes World Cup Bracket
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 26
Summary
France and Norway open Friday's decisive slate already through on six points, but the Group I winner gets a markedly easier knockout route than the runner-up.
Norway would currently face Ivory Coast and then the Brazil-Japan winner, while France's projected path runs through Sweden and then Germany or Paraguay.
Coach Stale Solbakken signaled Norway may rotate anyway, saying rest matters more before the round of 32 after a pressure-filled group stage.
Group G remains fully open, with Belgium needing at least a point against New Zealand after two underwhelming displays left their attack short of cutting edge.
Elsewhere, Uruguay must take something from Spain to stay alive, while Spain still have not secured first place in Group H because Cabo Verde can overtake them.
Has the expanded 48-team format diluted the World Cup's drama or created new underdog stories?
As visa issues sideline teams, can football's unifying power overcome real-world political borders?
2026 FIFA World Cup: New Scoring Highs, Expanded Knockouts, and Underdogs Shake Up the Race to the Round of 32
Overview
As of June 26, 2026, the FIFA World Cup group stage is reaching an exciting climax, with teams fiercely competing for a place in the Round of 32. The tournament has already broken records, with 139 goals scored in just 45 matches, surpassing the previous high from Brazil 2014. This surge in goals highlights the intensity and drama as the final fixtures approach. While nineteen teams have already advanced to the knockout stages, many spots remain undecided, setting the stage for dramatic finishes across several groups. The high stakes and competitive spirit make this World Cup group stage especially thrilling.