France seal first perfect group stage at a major finals since 1998 after 4-1 Norway win

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·27 June 2026

France seal first perfect group stage at a major finals since 1998 after 4-1 Norway win

France sealed their first perfect group stage at a major finals since 1998, ending a run of 13 tournaments without one. A 4-1 victory over Norway on Friday completed their World Cup 2026 pool with three wins.

They beat Senegal 3-1, then Iraq 3-0, before dispatching Norway 4-1 in their third match.

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In 1998, the group ended with wins over South Africa 3-0, Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Denmark 2-1.

Since then there had always been a slip somewhere in the group. On several occasions they eased off in the third game once qualification was assured, notably in 2016, 2018 and 2022.

Recent groups underline the trend, with Euro 2021 bringing a win and two draws, the 2022 World Cup ending with a 0-1 defeat to Tunisia after two victories, and Euro 2024 producing one win and two draws.

Source: L'Équipe