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Erling Haaland will be looking to score in an 11th consecutive competitive international when Norway face Ivory Coast in an intriguing Round of 32 clash at the 2026 World Cup at Dallas Stadium.
Norway head into this game on the back of a 4-1 defeat to France in their final group match, although Stale Solbakken made a host of changes to rest several key players ahead of the knockout stages.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Germany by beating Curacao 2-0 to secure their place in the Round of 32.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions. Additionally, take a look at our best World Cup betting offers to give yourself the best chance of making some profit.
Ivory Coast vs Norway key stats
- Four of Norway's last five matches have produced Over 2.5 goals.
- Ivory Coast have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last six competitive international matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of Norway's last five matches.
Ivory Coast vs Norway preview: Battle of the underdogs?
| Ivory Coast | vs | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| 33rd | FIFA Ranking | 31st |
| Franck Kessie – 105 | Most Caps | Alexander Sorloth – 74 |
| Franck Kessie – 16 | Most Goals | Erling Haaland – 59 |
| 751 | Total Caps | 849 |
| 87 | Total Goals | 128 |
| 1 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Ivory Coast have reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history and are in excellent form, having won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Les Elephants opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador and would likely have finished top of the group had they not suffered a late collapse against Germany in their second match.
Nicolas Pepe looks certain to keep his place after scoring twice against Curacao, while Yan Diomande has impressed on the wing, giving Emerse Fae's side belief that they can make more history.
Ivory Coast will once again be without Wilfried Singo, but Amad Diallo could start on the right to form a dangerous attacking trio with Pepe and Diomande behind striker Ange-Yoan Bonny.
Norway have surpassed all expectations on their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, and they have been in excellent goalscoring form with Erling Haaland leading the way.
The Manchester City striker scored twice in each of Norway's opening two matches against Iraq and Senegal, and he will be aiming to continue that impressive run in the knockout stages.
Stale Solbakken made as many as 10 changes for the defeat to France, resting almost all of his key players, meaning the 4-1 loss is unlikely to affect Norway's confidence.
One concern, however, is their vulnerability at the back, with Norway conceding in each of their last five matches, a weakness that could prove costly in the knockout rounds.
Ivory Coast vs Norway form guide & betting tips
| Ivory Coast | vs | Norway |
|---|---|---|
WWWLW |
Form | WDWWL |
| 5 | Goals For | 12 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 9 |
WLW |
WORLD CUP | WWL |
Whispers predicts: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
Both Norway and Ivory Coast progressed from their respective groups without much difficulty, and there is little to separate the two sides in terms of quality.
With Erling Haaland leading the line, Norway are slight favourites at 21/20 (2.05), while Ivory Coast are priced at 27/10 (3.70) to win and progress to the Round of 16.
Three or more goals have been scored in four of Norway's last five matches, making Over 2.5 Goals at 17/20 (1.85) an attractive option.
Haaland has scored in each of his last 10 competitive international appearances, and the Manchester City striker is backed at 19/20 (1.95) to score anytime.
Norway have seen both teams score in each of their last five matches, making BTTS – Yes at 3/4 (1.75) another tempting selection. If you are backing the Vikings to win, then Norway Win & BTTS – Yes at 3/1 (4.00) is also worth considering.
> Ivory Coast to score first at 29/20 (2.45) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 17/20 (1.85)| Likelihood: Probable
> Erling Haaland to score anytime at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: Probable
> Norway win + BTTS – Yes at 3/1 (4.0) | Likelihood: Outsider
> Martin Odegaard to register assist at 18/5 (4.6) | Likelihood: Outsider