Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction tips and odds | World Cup 2026

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Ivory Coast and Norway meet for the first time ever when the two nations contest a round of 32 tie at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Tuesday, 30 June, with kick-off at 18:00 BST / 12:00 CDT local time.

Both sides finished second in their respective groups on six points, though the characters of their campaigns differed sharply: the Vikings scored eight goals across three games, fuelled by Erling Haaland’s exceptional form, while the Elephants conceded just two throughout the group stage to reach their first global tournament knockout tie.

Preview: Ivory Coast vs Norway

Ivory Coast’s group stage was shaped by decisive moments at either end of the clock, and Emerse Fae’s side showed a dependable composure when it mattered most.

Amad Diallo came off the bench at half-time against Ecuador in Philadelphia and scored in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win that launched the Elephants’ campaign in ideal fashion.

Six days later the clock conspired against them, with Deniz Undav finding the net with virtually the last kick of the game to hand Germany a 2-1 win in Toronto, inflicting Fae’s side their only group-stage defeat.

The Elephants responded with authority, as Nicolas Pepe scored twice against Curacao in a composed 2-0 win to bank six points and confirm progression as runners-up in Group E.

Ivory Coast have already made history by reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time after three consecutive group-stage exits in 2006, 2010 and 2014, and they will be aiming to write another chapter with victory on Tuesday.

Norway scored eight goals across three group-stage games, with their results built on the brilliance of one of the most dangerous individual forwards in world football.

Haaland scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win before adding a brace in a 3-2 victory over Senegal, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opening the scoring and the Manchester City striker pulling the Vikings ahead and then extending their lead to 3-1 before Ismaila Sarr pulled two back in reply.

Norway’s final group game was a 4-1 loss to France, in an encounter where Stale Solbakken made 10 changes from the side that secured victory on matchday two.

Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard were both rested with qualification already secured, and Ousmane Dembele’s first-half hat-trick flattered the scoreline against a heavily rotated side that created four big chances, one more than their opponent.

Solbakken has managed Norway since December 2020 and is aiming to take this generation to their first World Cup round of 16, a milestone the nation last reached in 1998 before Italy brought their run to a close in France.

Team news: Ivory Coast vs Norway

Ivory Coast

Wilfried Singo is the one fitness question mark in Fae’s squad ahead of this tie, with the Galatasaray right back’s availability yet to be confirmed.

Guela Doue filled in at right back during the group stage and did so without any evident difficulties, so a like-for-like replacement is available should Singo not be passed fit in time.

The rest of the squad is available, and Fae has no reason to alter a defensive shape that conceded just twice in the group stage, with Franck Kessie leading the team as captain on 105 caps and 16 goals.

Norway

Julian Ryerson of Borussia Dortmund was forced off injured against Senegal and faces a fitness test before this round of 32 tie, with Pedersen having come on in his place and going on to open the scoring that evening.

Pedersen is set to retain the right-back berth with Ryerson facing a race against time, and Orjan Nyland is expected to reclaim the goalkeeper’s jersey, with Egil Selvik having played in the rotated side against France.

Odegaard and Haaland return to the starting line-up having had an extra game of rest, making this a more dangerous Norway side than the one that faced France.

Ivory Coast vs Norway predicted XIs

Ivory Coast predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Y Fofana; G Konan, O Kossounou, O Diomande, G Doue; I Sangare, C Oulai; Y Diomande, F Kessie, Amad Diallo; N Pepe

Norway predicted XI (4-3-3): Nyland; Moller Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer, Pedersen; Berge, Aursnes, Odegaard; Nusa, Sorloth, Haaland

Head-to-head: Ivory Coast vs Norway

Ivory Coast and Norway have never met in a competitive fixture or a recognised international friendly, making this the first encounter in the history of either nation’s football.

There is nothing in the record books to draw on for this one, which means the group stage performances carry all the analytical weight: Ivory Coast’s defensive organisation against Norway’s attacking firepower.

The contrast between Ivory Coast’s three clean sheets in five games and Norway’s inability to keep one in the same period captures the central tactical question of this tie. For World Cup tips and markets across the tournament, visit our World Cup betting sites guide.

Our Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction and tips

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