Overview
- France beat Norway 4-1 on Friday, June 26, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring a first‑half hat‑trick to seal top spot in Group I.
- Goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved a penalty and made key stops that masked repeated defensive lapses that coaches will need to fix before the knockout phase.
- Didier Deschamps missed the match to attend his mother’s funeral and assistant Guy Stéphan took charge, with Deschamps due to rejoin the squad in Boston before the next game.
- Finishing first keeps France on the U.S. east coast and sets a round‑of‑16 match at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 30 at 23:00 French time against a team that is very likely to be Sweden.
- Back in France, extreme heat forced the LNR to order an exceptional safety plan for the Top 14 final at Stade de France and the prefecture canceled the cadet curtain‑raiser because of a 48°C felt temperature.