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MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
01:00 BST, Tuesday 23 June 2026
Norway lead Group I on goal difference after a four-one opening win over Iraq, while Senegal must respond after a three-one defeat by France on matchday one. Three points for Norway would put them in control of their qualification destiny. Senegal know another defeat makes progression from the group almost impossible.
Norway are back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard making their World Cup debuts at MetLife Stadium. Sadio Mane, 34, leads Senegal having missed the 2022 World Cup through injury when he was at the peak of his powers – he is almost certainly competing in his final edition of the tournament.
Norway vs Senegal Preview: Form and Analysis
Norway qualified for this tournament without losing a single game across eight European qualifying fixtures. Their record included double victories over Italy, confirmation that this generation of players is more than capable of competing at the top level. The 28-year wait for another World Cup appearance has done nothing to blunt their ambition.
Their opening game left no room for doubt. Haaland scored twice in the first half – after 29 and 43 minutes – and though Iraq briefly reduced the deficit, Norway sealed a four-one win without ever looking threatened. Stale Solbakken’s side controlled the match from start to finish.
Haaland has 57 goals from 51 appearances for Norway, making him the country’s all-time record scorer by a considerable distance. He reached 50 international goals in only 46 games – a rate matched by only five players in the history of the game. He also won the Premier League Golden Boot this season with 27 goals for Manchester City, and he arrives at this World Cup in the excellent form.
The creative force behind Norway is Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain. Concerns over his fitness going into the tournament – he sustained at least five separate injuries across the club season – were largely put to rest by his composed showing against Iraq. When Odegaard is fit and available, Norway are a considerably better team.
Solbakken has built a side that thrives on high pressing and rapid transitions. Antonio Nusa provides pace and energy on the left flank, with Alexander Sorloth keeping the right side honest. Sander Berge anchors the midfield and gives Odegaard the licence to operate higher up the pitch. The back four held their defensive shape well against Iraq, even if they did concede a consolation goal.
Senegal had their moments against France before the game got away from them. For the best part of an hour they contained one of the tournament favourites, but three goals in the final 25 minutes – two from Kylian Mbappe and one from Bradley Barcola – finished them off. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was too little too late. It was a difficult way to start a campaign.
The defeat did not tell the full story of Senegal’s attacking potential. Nicolas Jackson leads the forward line for Senegal after a decent campaign on loan at Bayern Munich, and Mane – 55 goals from 129 appearances – remains a genuine threat at international level. Ismaila Sarr gives them pace on the right, and Lamine Camara adds energy and creativity through the centre of midfield.
This is very likely Mane’s final World Cup. He missed Qatar 2022 through injury at what many regarded as the peak of his powers, and his motivation to make this edition count is clear. He was named player of the tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, driving Senegal to the final before the Confederation of African Football subsequently stripped them of the title in disputed circumstances.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who turned 35 on June 20, leads the Senegal defence with 104 international appearances to his name. His one-on-one battle with Haaland will be the defining contest of this match – if Koulibaly can keep Norway’s record scorer quiet, Senegal have a chance. The question is whether they can also find enough going forward to take something from the game.
Pape Thiaw is expected to use a four-two-three-one formation, relying on the width of Mane and Sarr to create chances for Jackson as the central striker. Norway will be aware of the threat on the break. Their own shape – four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers – is built for exactly the kind of counter-attacking game that Senegal’s attacking approach will invite. Norway should have enough, but this will not be routine.
Team News: Norway vs Senegal
Norway
Solbakken has a fully fit squad available after the opening game against Iraq. The biggest concern coming into the tournament was the fitness of Odegaard, who missed the warm-up fixtures in March. His appearance from the start against Iraq, and the quality he showed in that game, resolved those concerns before this match.
Patrick Berg is expected to start alongside Berge and Odegaard in midfield, with Kristian Thorstvedt available from the bench as cover.
Jorgen Strand Larsen and Thelo Aasgaard provide additional attacking options from the bench if Norway need to chase the game, though that scenario looks unlikely given their early control of Group I.
Senegal
Thiaw has no injury concerns after the France match, with the full squad available for selection. The management of older players across what could be a condensed tournament schedule remains a consideration. Idrissa Gueye, 36, and Mane, 34, both completed 90 minutes against France and will need careful monitoring.
Mbaye’s substitute appearance – and his goal at 90 minutes plus five – demonstrated that the 18-year-old PSG forward can contribute meaningfully from the bench. Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham and Habib Diarra of Sunderland are among the other options available to Thiaw from the start or from a substitution.
Koulibaly’s fitness and form are central to Senegal’s chances here. The Al-Hilal centre-back has the experience needed to handle a match of this magnitude, but the physical demands of dealing with Haaland will prove a tough test. Moussa Niakhate, alongside him in the back four, must maintain his concentration throughout.
Norway vs Senegal Predicted Line-ups
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland – D Moller Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson – Berge, P Berg, Odegaard – Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth
Senegal (4-2-3-1): E Mendy – M Diouf, Niakhate, Koulibaly, K Diatta – I Gueye, P Gueye – Mane, L Camara, I Sarr – N Jackson
The Head-to-Head Record for Norway vs Senegal
Norway and Senegal have met only once in their entire international history. That meeting, a friendly on the first of March 2006, ended two-one to Senegal – but it was an inconsequential pre-season fixture that has no bearing on what happens this week at MetLife Stadium.
Tuesday’s game is the first competitive fixture between the two nations. A single result from 20 years ago, between entirely different generations of players, provides no useful predictive value. Both squads arrive effectively without a relevant shared history to draw on.
Senegal have previous at this competition, however. In their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2002, they beat France – the reigning world champions – and reached the quarter-finals. Norway have not been involved since 1998. Both teams carry their own history into a match that, for both, means something beyond the three points at stake.
Norway vs Senegal Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Haaland is perhaps the most dangerous striker in this tournament. His 57 goals from 51 appearances for Norway make him the country’s all-time record scorer, and he has already backed that up with two against Iraq.
- Norway’s midfield, led by Odegaard and Berge, should give them the control of possession and tempo they need to dictate the match.
- Senegal must attack to survive in the group, which creates the counter-attacking space that Norway’s forward line is built to exploit.
- The last-five-game comparison favours Norway: two wins, two draws and one defeat against Senegal’s two wins, one draw and two defeats.
- Mane, Jackson and Sarr have the collective quality to score against any team – Norway’s defence is not impenetrable – but Senegal are unlikely to find more than one.
Matthew has been working as a freelance sports reporter since 2025, having previously spent six years with Reach PLC where he primarily worked for the Mirror. He specialises in covering football and cricket.