The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered a new phase. Immediately following the second round of the qualifying stage, the national teams of France and Norway guaranteed their participation in the playoffs. However, the path to this success was not easy: star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had to demonstrate their class against a backdrop of extreme weather conditions and historical records.

Evacuation in Philadelphia: The Match That Almost Didn't Happen

The match between France and Iraq, held in Philadelphia, turned into a test of endurance. Immediately after the first half, a severe thunderstorm broke out. In accordance with FIFA safety protocols, due to lightning strikes in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, a decision was made to evacuate. Spectators and players were moved to indoor facilities, and the game was suspended for more than two hours.

The head coach of the French national team, Didier Deschamps, admitted that he had never experienced such a long pause in his career. In the locker room, the team had to literally "kill time" to maintain their match fitness before the game resumed. Despite the force majeure and the need for a second warm-up, the "Tricolores" did not lose their composure and crushed their opponent with a score of 3:0.

Mbappe on the Brink of Eternity

The main hero of the match was Kylian Mbappe. The striker scored a brace, bringing his personal tally to 16 goals at World Cups. Thus, the Frenchman equaled the legendary German forward Miroslav Klose, who held the record for the most goals in World Cup history for a long time. The third goal was scored by the current Ballon d'Or holder, Ousmane Dembele.

Haaland Writes History in Rainy New Jersey

In a parallel match in Group I, the Norwegian national team hosted Senegal in New Jersey. The game was also played in heavy rain, but without interruptions. The match ended with a hard-fought victory for the Europeans with a score of 3:2.

Erling Haaland scored two goals and set a unique record. The Norwegian became only the sixth player in history to score a brace in each of the first two matches at his debut World Cup. Previously, this feat was achieved by a handful of players, including Harry Kane in 2018.

The statistics of the Norwegian star look anomalous: Haaland has scored in every official match for the national team since October 2024. He has 24 goals in his last 12 games.

Group I Finale

Thanks to these results, France and Norway accumulated 6 points each and became untouchable for their competitors. Now, the teams are guaranteed to advance to the playoffs. In the final round, which will take place on Friday, June 26, the French and Norwegians will face each other in a head-to-head battle for first place in the group.