NEW YORK: France can secure a more comfortable route through the World Cup when they face Norway in their final Group ‘I’ match on Friday, though finishing top could leave them facing one of the toughest roads to the trophy.

Assured of a place in the round-of-32 after victories over Senegal and Iraq, France need only a draw to finish first thanks to their superior goal difference.

While the sporting benefits of topping the group are debatable, doing so would allow the 2018 champions to remain in Northeastern United States until the quarter-finals rather than embark on a cross-country journey through Dallas, Miami and Atlanta.

France are nevertheless expected to make changes.

Didier Deschamps, who returned home following the death of his mother, used all five substitutions during Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq, a sign that squad management may take precedence with qualification already secured.

Longtime assistant coach Guy Stephan will oversee the team from the touchline in Boston. The equation facing France is an unusual one.

Finishing first would likely avoid an early collision with the likes of Brazil, England and Portugal while reducing travel, but it could place them on a path that could include Germany in the round-of-16 and European champions Spain in the semi-finals.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said they would do all they can to help Erling Haaland claim the Golden Boot, with the striker on four goals, but he may be reluctant to risk his biggest stars with qualification guaranteed.

Whether or not Norway rotate, France will have to contend with one of the form teams of the tournament.

The path to knockouts is more difficult for Senegal as successive defeats have them teetering on the brink of elimination and they need a comprehensive win over Iraq on Friday.

For Iraq, it is a similar predicament as they have also lost their opening two Group ‘I’ games to France and Norway.

Iraq and Senegal are scrambling to progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups, but even if there is a winner when the two sides meet at the Toronto Stadium, they would likely have an anxious wait until the group stage concludes late on Saturday before knowing whether their three-point haul is enough to reach the knockout stage.

Published in Dawn, June 26 , 2026