Diminished star power does little to take shine off World Cup fans’ fun in Foxborough for France-Norway

FOXBOROUGH — This was the one to attend. France vs. Norway was billed as the best game of the 2026 World Cup group stage: a tournament favorite against a formidable underdog, both with world-class strikers leading the way.

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And as fans filed into the stadium for the 3 p.m. kickoff, word leaked that Norway was resting all but one of its starting 11 for Friday’s pre-knockout round finale. Coach Ståle Solbakken, already qualified for the Round of 32, was prioritizing player health.

While French star Kylian Mbappé flew around as usual in his team’s 4-1 win, Norwegian counterpart Erling Haaland watched from the bench, along with running mate Martin Ødegaard.

For fans who hoped to see the latter two give the Vikings a chance at an upset, it took some of the shine off the day.

But not too much.

Before noon, hundreds crowded outside the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Boston, waiting for a glimpse of the French before they boarded their bus. Perhaps a few of them wound up among the 64,146 at don’t-call-it-Gillette Stadium.

Some businesses along Route 1 were charging $80 for parking. Others were filling up their lots for $40 a pop. At Route One Wine & Spirits across from the stadium, a group of French fans were playing roadside beer pong as jersey-clad fans marched by in small groups.

Ticket prices on the secondary market were upwards of $2,000 two hours before kickoff. An hour before, there was nothing available online.

Asked how much he paid, Scott Davis of Easton said, “$1,475.”

“He’s lying,” said his friend, Tony Marcella of Medway, as they climbed the ramp to their 300-level seats, beers in tow. “It was $340. We got them in a raffle.”

They were two American fans of the Premier League, there to support the underdog.

“Norway, 3-1. Haaland with two goals, Mbappé with one,” Davis said. “They’ll bring him back in. Off the record — no, they won’t. It’s just hopeful thinking.”

Regardless, they were getting their money’s worth.

“I’m hanging out with my best friend,” Davis said. “Let’s hang out and be best friends? Sounds great. We had a world-record rock-paper-scissors tournament in the parking lot.”

Davis, a two-time contestant on the show “Naked and Afraid” — “a totally D-list celebrity” — had his face covered in Norway colors. But before kickoff, the paint was smudged all over, giving him the appearance of a pro wrestler fresh from a title match.

“I have so much in my eyes I can’t see,” Davis said. “I honestly can’t see a thing.”

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Simon Stølen, of Virginia Beach, Va., said he is “Norwegian by birth, Norwegian by heart.” He was also Norwegian by headgear (Viking helmet) and by drinking vessel (horn). He saw the logic in the coaching decision.

“I do wish we’d win this game, because it would make us play Sweden,” he added. “And we hate Sweden.”

How much did he pay to experience Norway’s first World Cup run since 1998?

“Way too [expletive] much, but it’s [expletive] worth it,” he said. “It’s so worth it! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Twenty-eight [expletive] years! Look at this [expletive] stadium.”

He then fell silent as France took control, and Ousmane Dembélé scored the opening goal.

That pleased French fan Alex Oillic, of Montreal. He paid $227 for tickets months ago, but was not disappointed to see Norway rest its best.

“No, because it’s a good game, good weather, good atmosphere, good fans,” said Oillic, who arrived with two family members from France. “A good moment.”

Dembélé scored again, then sent in a left-footed curler for the first-half hat trick. The Norwegian fans lifted their horns, faithfully did their rowing, and pressed on. Some were still hoping Haaland would make an appearance.

“I think he’s coming in, second half,” said Tampa native Morgan Ulvenes, who was here for a family trip and paid, “$800 for nosebleeds.”

She showed her family’s heritage with temporary Norwegian flag tattoos on her face.

“He’s got the golden boot race,” she said of Haaland. “He’s going to come in, score a couple goals, and they’re going to win … 3-1 is the worst lead in all of sports.”

The comeback fell short. Afterward, Solbakken said it was a “no-brainer” to rest his starters after a grueling match Monday against Senegal, but he admitted he felt for the fans.

“They wanted to see Erling, they wanted to see Martin,” Solbakken said. “That’s the only reason you can feel something (bad) about the way we lined up today. Hopefully, we can give them some good summer nights in the next (few) weeks.”

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