Preview: Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32
This will be the first-ever encounter between these teams.
Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host an intense Round of 32 encounter between the Ivory Coast and Norway. Neither team is frequently seen at the World Cups, but they had a strong outing in the group stages.
Ivory Coast earned six points in three group stage games, finishing second only on goal difference. They began with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, but lost to Germany despite leading at halftime. Then they rebounded with a 2-0 win against Curaçao.
Norway qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1998. They qualified ahead of Italy in the qualifying group. They have one of the most exciting young squads in world football.
They won their opening two games of the World Cup against Iraq and Senegal. But they were handed an embarrassing 4-1 defeat by the French national team.
Kick-off:
- Location: Arlington, Texas
- Stadium: Dallas Stadium
- Date: Tuesday, 30 June
- Kick-off Time: 05:00 PM (GMT) I 12:00 PM (EST) | 10:30 PM (IST)
- Referee: Not decided
- VAR: In use
Form:
Ivory Coast (in all competitions): W-L-W-W-W
Norway (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-W
Players to watch out for:
Franck Kessié (Ivory Coast)
Captain Franck Kessié, Ivory Coast’s number eight, is their key player. The central midfielder has played for FC Barcelona, Atalanta, and AC Milan. Combining physicality with technical skill, he scored against Germany in the group stage.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Erling Haaland is arguably the best striker in world football right now. He has scored four goals in the competition so far. He was rested against France and will be in peak fitness against the Ivory Coast.
He is a physical specimen who possesses a perfect blend of blistering pace and unshakable strength on the ball. He has also improved his heading in recent years. He is a threat in set-piece situations.
Match Facts:
- This will be the first-ever encounter between the Ivory Coast and Norway.
- Ivory Coast won 2-0 against Curaçao in their last game.
- Norway lost 4-1 against France in their last game.
Betting tips and odds
- Tip 1: Norway to win – 2.02 by Stake
- Tip 2: Both teams to score – Yes – 1.62 by Dafabet
- Tip 3: Expected Goals – Over 2.5 – 1.49 by 1XBET
Injury and Team news:
Both teams have their entire squads available for selection.
Head-to-Head:
This will be the first-ever encounter between the Ivory Coast and Norway.
Predicted Lineups:
Ivory Coast (4-4-2)
Fofana (GK); Doué, Diomande, Kossounou, Opéré; Diallo, Kessié, Sangaré, Diomande; Pépé, Bonny
Norway (4-3-3)
Nyland (GK); Pedersen, Ajer, Hegge m, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa
Match Prediction:
Both the Ivory Coast and Norway showcased their immense quality during the group phase. Therefore, we can expect a close and closely contested encounter. Our prediction for the game is:
Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
Telecast details:
India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5
UK: BBC & ITV
USA: FOX Sports
Nigeria: DStv, GOtv
Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway live in India?
The game will be streamed live on Zee5 in India.
Where will Ivory Coast vs Norway be played?
The game will be played at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Who won the last head-to-head encounter between the Ivory Coast and Norway?
This will be the first-ever encounter between these two teams.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
Bhavya is a passionate and knowledgeable writer specializing in Football and WWE. With a deep-rooted passion for these sports dating back to 2013, he brings over a decade of insight and enthusiasm to every piece of writing.