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Michael Oliver to referee Norway vs France as both sides chase World Cup group top spot

English official Michael Oliver takes charge of Norway vs France in Boston, with both sides already through to the round of 32 but competing for first place in their World Cup qualifying group.

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Michael Oliver to referee Norway vs France as both sides chase World Cup group top spot
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Michael Oliver will referee the Norway vs France World Cup group match in Boston, with both nations already assured of their place in the round of 32 and the contest reduced to a battle for top spot.

The 41-year-old English official has been FIFA-listed since 2012 and was designated a UEFA Elite referee in 2018. He is no stranger to high-stakes appointments, having taken charge of two FA Cup finals, a UEFA Super Cup, and three matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — including the quarter-final between Brazil and Croatia.

Oliver made his entrance at this tournament in the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden in Group F, where he booked three players. This is his fourth major international tournament, following a European Championship debut in 2021.

The match carries an added subplot beyond the group standings. Erling Haaland and his French counterpart are among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot, giving the fixture an individual edge to complement the team stakes.

Oliver is a familiar figure to Haaland and several other players on the pitch given his extensive Premier League experience. In 29 matches during the 2025-26 Premier League season, he issued 89 yellow cards — just over three per game — and sent off two players: Lesley Ugochukwu of Burnley for two bookable offences, and Cristian Romero for serious foul play in Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, both English, while Ma Ning of China serves as fourth official.

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