Ivory Coast face Haaland-led Norway in World Cup knockout debut
Ivory Coast play their first World Cup knockout match against Norway, with Brazil waiting for the winner in the last 16.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Ivory Coast enter World Cup knockout football for the first time on Tuesday against a Norway side led by Erling Haaland. The round-of-32 match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington will decide who plays Brazil in the last 16, according to Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reported that kickoff is scheduled for noon local time, or 17:00 GMT. Its live text coverage is due to begin with buildup from 14:00 GMT on Al Jazeera Sport.
How they got here
Ivory Coast finished second in Group E on six points, behind Germany on the head-to-head tiebreaker, according to Al Jazeera. The West African side beat Ecuador 1-0, lost 2-1 to Germany and then defeated Curacao 2-0.
Norway also advanced as a runner-up, taking second place in Group I with six points behind France, Al Jazeera reported. Norway beat Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2 before losing 4-1 to France.
Al Jazeera said Ivory Coast are among a record nine African teams to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 tournament. Norway, playing at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, can equal their best tournament run by reaching the round of 16.
Key players
Haaland has four goals in two matches at the tournament, according to Al Jazeera, after Norway rested him for the France match. Captain Martin Odegaard has added two assists.
Ivory Coast have spread their scoring across several players. Al Jazeera reported that Nicolas Pepe has scored twice, while Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie have one goal each.
Coach Emerse Fae told Al Jazeera that having goals come from multiple areas of the team is a strength because it can make Ivory Coast harder to defend. Al Jazeera also identified 19-year-old Yan Diomande as the team’s main creative presence during the tournament and said he has been linked with a move from RB Leipzig to Paris Saint-Germain.
Ivory Coast’s defence, led by centre-back Ousmane Diomande, is expected to face a demanding test against Haaland inside the penalty area, Al Jazeera reported.
Prediction and history
Opta’s supercomputer gives Norway a 56.1% chance of winning in normal time, Al Jazeera reported. Ivory Coast’s chance is listed at 21.6%, with a 22.3% probability that the match goes to extra time and possibly penalties.
The teams have not met before, according to Al Jazeera. Ivory Coast have one win, one draw and three defeats in their past five World Cup matches against European opponents, while Norway have lost two of 19 matches against African teams in all competitions.
How to watch
- Ivory Coast: New World Sport 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 at 5pm GMT, according to Al Jazeera.
- Norway: TV2, NRK 1 and NRK 2 at 7pm Central European Summer Time.
- United Kingdom: BBC at 6pm British Summer Time.
- United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network and Peacock at 1pm Eastern Daylight Time.
Al Jazeera said FIFA’s official listings carry broadcast information for other countries.
Probable lineups
Al Jazeera listed Ivory Coast’s predicted lineup as Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ousmane Diomande, Konan; Sangare; Diallo, Kessie, Oulai, Yan Diomande; Pepe.
Norway’s predicted lineup, according to Al Jazeera, is Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.