France defender Dayot Upamecano has detailed his strategy to contain Norway forward Erling Haaland ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I clash between the two unbeaten sides on Friday, June 26, in Massachusetts. Both teams have already secured knockout stage berths, but the match will determine the group winner. Upamecano emphasized the need for constant awareness, comparing Haaland's explosive acceleration to that of his teammate Kylian Mbappe, who has also scored four goals in the tournament.
Upamecano: Haaland requires constant vigilance
Speaking to L'Equipe as quoted by Goal.com, Upamecano said, "With Haaland, you always have to keep one eye on him, tracking his position, and one eye on the ball carrier, even if you aren't outnumbered. When he's on my blind side and one of his team-mates is overlapping, I know I have to check over my shoulder two or three times to see where he's going and how he's positioning himself." The Bayern Munich defender noted that Haaland's ability to change direction in a split second makes it crucial to anticipate his movement and limit his space.
Forcing Haaland wide is key
Upamecano outlined the fallback plan if preventing Haaland from receiving the ball is not possible. "If you can't anticipate his first touch and prevent him from getting the ball, you have to try to force him wide. He's a player who loves a physical battle, and so do I. But sometimes you have to manage the situation, shepherd him to the flank, and close down his shooting angle," he added. Haaland has scored four goals so far in the tournament, matching Mbappe's tally, making the duel between the two stars a key narrative.
France and Norway battle for top spot
Both France and Norway have won their opening two Group I matches, setting up a decisive encounter for first place. France, the 2018 champions, rely on Mbappe's pace and finishing, while Norway looks to Haaland's physical presence and movement. Upamecano's defensive discipline will be critical in neutralizing Norway's primary threat. The match is scheduled for Friday at 2:58 AM IST in Massachusetts.
