New Delhi, June 26 -- Norway striker Erling Haaland will start on the substitutes' bench when his side faces France in their final Group I match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Foxborough. Coach Stale Solbakken has decided to rest up to ten players from the team that defeated Senegal 3-2 earlier this week. The move comes despite Norway still having a chance to finish top of the group with a win.

Stale Solbakken wants his players fresh for the round of 32, which begins next week. He knows the knockout phase can bring extra time and penalties, and he refuses to risk tired legs or mental fatigue.

"It is 100% certain that we will need to be rested for the round of 32 mentally and physically," the Norway coach said. "It could be that we have t...