Will Erling Haaland play tonight for Norway vs Ivory Coast in FIFA World Cup 2026?

Erling Haaland did not feature in Norway’s final group fixture against France.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun with its newly introduced Round of 32 fixture. Despite only a limited number of fixtures have been played so far, it has produced performances that have increased the excitement. Norway are set for a high-stakes encounter against Ivory Coast in a heavyweight clash at Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA.

The clash will mark the first-ever competitive meeting between Norway and the Ivory Coast. Norway enters the Round of 32 looking to assert its dominance, with the Ivory Coast posing a huge challenge, adding to the overall stakes.

Ståle Solbakken on Erling Haaland’s role against Ivory Coast

Manager Ståle Solbakken has confirmed that striker Erling Haaland is fully fit and will definitely start against Ivory Coast. He highlighted the necessity of bringing back his elite starters to match the overall intensity of the resilient Ivory Coast side.

Erling Haaland has undoubtedly been Norway’s best performer in the historic World Cup campaign, with the player effortlessly adapting to the requirements of the World Cup. He entered the tournament in incredible form after a spectacular domestic season with Manchester City.

The prolific striker enjoyed a devastating start to the 2026 campaign, showcasing his elite positioning and exceptional finishing by scoring consecutive braces in the opening fixtures. He led the attack as Norway featured in their World Cup returning fixture against Norway with a dominant 4-1 victory over Iraq, before being the ultimate gamechanger as the side edged past Senegal for a narrow 3-2 victory.

Also Read: Preview: Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32

By scoring four goals in just two appearances, Haaland has put himself in a comfortable position in the tournament’s Golden Boot.

With the nation confirming their qualification with one match remaining, Solbakken decided to completely rest his main squad, benching Haaland and nine other regular starters during Norway’s final Group I match against France.

Though the team subsequently suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat, they finished as group runners-up, securing passage to the next round. The side will be at a huge advantage with the main squad fully fit to compete.

Norway are set to feature in the knockout rounds for the first time since the 1998 edition, with a win against Ivory Coast equalling their best-ever World Cup finish and setting them for a heavyweight clash against Brazil in the Round of 16.

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