FIFA World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast vs Norway Match Preview

Texas. In the most exciting and unpredictable clash of the final 32, the enthusiastic Ivory Coast faces Norway, led by the world's best striker. 

Which team will win in the Texas heat, with only two places separating them in the world rankings?

• How did Ivory Coast and Norway reach this point?

Ivory Coast scored the first goal in all three of their group stage matches. They are the second African nation to achieve such success in the World Cup. 

This team secured a narrow victory against the defensively strong Ecuador but suffered a painful injury-time loss to Germany. They then found their rhythm with two goals from former Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe, defeating Curaçao 2-0.

Norway has been providing entertainment in various ways in this World Cup. Their supporters have generated great energy and enthusiasm in the stadium through their exciting chants. 

A total of 15 goals have been scored in Norway's three matches on the field. Exactly 5 goals have been scored in each game. In their last match, however, they were defeated 4-1 by France. 

 In that match, coach Stale Solbakken rested key players like Erling Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard, and star winger Antonio Nusa. Risk was not taken by playing Julian Ryerson in the match against France. But he will return to the right-back role in this match.

• Teammates Become Opponents

The exceptional talent of Ivory Coast winger Yaya Diomande is currently being highly discussed in the football world. This 19-year-old player, who plays for RB Leipzig, is being pursued by many big European clubs. He is likely to move to a bigger club next season. Diomande, known for his speed, trickery, and dribbling, is rumored to be a target for Liverpool. 

In this match, he will face his own club teammate Antonio Nusa, who plays on Norway's right flank. Nusa is sometimes even called the 'Norwegian Neymar'. The duel between these two could be decisive in determining the winner.

• Can anyone stop Erling Haaland?

Manchester City's 'goal machine' Erling Haaland will be eager to increase his tally of four goals so far in the World Cup. Arsenal playmaker Martin Ødegaard will provide him with many passes to score. Haaland will be closely monitored by Kouakou Kossounou of Atalanta and the talented 22-year-old Osame Drammeh from Sporting Lisbon. 

• Ivory Coast vs Norway: Head-to-Head

This will be the first encounter between these two nations.

Ivory Coast has won only one of their five World Cup matches against European teams. This includes 1 draw and 3 losses. 

The team has lost their last two matches against European nations. This includes the painful 2-1 loss to Germany in injury time in their second match of the tournament.

On the other hand, Norway has lost only 2 of their 19 matches against African nations in all competitions. This includes 9 wins and 8 draws. Both of those losses were in friendly matches. 

They were defeated by Senegal in 2006 and South Africa in 2009. Norway has played African teams twice in the World Cup. After a 2-2 draw with Morocco, they secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal in their second match of the tournament 28 years later.

The winner of today's match will have the opportunity to play Brazil in the next round.

• Ivory Coast's probable starting XI: Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Diomande, Opperi; Sangaré, Kessié; Amad, Pepe, Diomande; Bony.
• Norway's probable starting XI: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggheim, Møller Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Årnes; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.