Norway coach Solbakken sticks to squad rotation, benches Haaland for World Cup match vs France

Norway national team coach Ståle Solbakken defended his decision to rest several starters after the 1‑4 loss to Senegal, opting to start ten of the eleven players who began Norway’s first two World Cup games. He left striker Erling Haaland and midfielder Martin Ødegaard on the bench for the group‑stage match against France, arguing that the players needed rest before the round‑of‑16. Solbakken described himself as "skruppelløs" (uncompromising) about his selections and said the choice was made to give Norway the best chance to advance.

The Dutch report confirmed the lineup: Haaland will be a substitute, Jørgen Strand Larsen starts up front, with Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb completing the attack, while Fredrik Aursnes remains in midfield. The coach faced criticism from fans and media who expected the star players to feature, but he maintained that the decision was in Norway’s long‑term interest.

Solbakken also noted he was battling a mild cold during the press conference, further underscoring the pressures surrounding the tactical shift ahead of the crucial clash with France.