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France Coach Deschamps Misses Gillette Clash; Draw Needed

6/26/2026

37 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

France Needs Draw

United States, Norway and France will meet at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough on June 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
United States and Norway entered with 2-0 records.
France entered with a 2-0 record, leads Group I on goal differential and needs a draw to advance.
The game will be broadcast in English by FOX and in Spanish by Telemundo.
Coach Didier Deschamps missed match after traveling home for his mother’s death.

Summary

Haaland Unbothered

Norway striker Erling Haaland said he “couldn’t care” about the France match after Norway secured a knockout-stage place.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken pledged to help Haaland win the World Cup Golden Boot, noting he missed an open-goal chance.
With Didier Deschamps absent following his mother’s death, assistant Guy Stephan will manage France in the Group I decider and warned against a slip-up that could lead to a tougher knockout route.

History

Historical Context

The 1998 World Cup, hosted by France, saw the hosts defeat Brazil 3-0 on 12 July 1998, with Zidane scoring twice before captain Didier Deschamps lifted the trophy. That triumph launched a period of French dominance, including Euro 2000, and today’s Group I match at Gillette Stadium pits Deschamps’s side against Norway’s Erling Haaland, echoing the 1998 legacy. The final attracted roughly 1.3 billion television viewers.

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France Needs Draw

United States, Norway and France will meet at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough on June 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
United States and Norway entered with 2-0 records.
France entered with a 2-0 record, leads Group I on goal differential and needs a draw to advance.
The game will be broadcast in English by FOX and in Spanish by Telemundo.
Coach Didier Deschamps missed match after traveling home for his mother’s death.

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