Ivory Coast will look to continue their impressive World Cup journey when they take on Norway in the Round of 32 on Tuesday, June 30.
Les Elephants secured qualification after finishing second behind Germany in Group E, while Norway advanced as runners-up behind France in Group I.
The encounter at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will see two nations with limited World Cup knockout experience fight for a place in the Round of 16.
Match preview and current form
Ivory Coast progressed from a highly competitive Group E after victories against Ecuador and Curaçao helped them finish level on points with Germany, only missing out on top spot due to an inferior head-to-head record.
The African side has enjoyed strong recent form, winning six of their last seven international matches while keeping momentum throughout the tournament. This marks Ivory Coast’s first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup, and another victory would equal the number of wins they managed across their previous three appearances at the competition combined.
History may not favour African nations in debut World Cup knockout matches, but Ivory Coast will believe they have enough quality to break that trend, especially given their recent defensive solidity.
Norway, meanwhile, arrive in the knockout stage after a mixed group campaign. StÃ¥le Solbakken’s side comfortably defeated Senegal and Iraq before suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to France on the final matchday.
However, Norway rotated heavily against the French after already securing qualification, making ten changes to their starting lineup. The Vikings are expected to restore several key players for this clash and will take confidence from an impressive recent run of form that has seen them win 14 of their last 19 internationals.
Despite losing both of their previous World Cup knockout matches historically, Norway possess one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking units heading into Tuesday’s encounter.
Head-to-head record
This will be the first ever meeting between Ivory Coast and Norway.
Norway have faced African opposition 19 times previously and have lost only two of those matches, recording nine wins and eight draws. Their latest encounter against African opposition ended in a 3-2 victory over Senegal during the group stage.
Key stats ahead of Ivory Coast vs Norway
Ivory Coast have scored first in all three of their matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Only two of Ivory Coast’s last seven international matches have seen both teams score.
Six of Norway’s last nine internationals have produced over 3.5 goals.
Both teams have scored in nine of Norway’s last ten matches.
Players to watch
Nicolas Pépé could once again prove decisive for Ivory Coast after scoring before the 20th minute in four of his last five international scoring appearances.
For Norway, Thelo Aasgaard enters the match after netting in the first half against France, ending a sequence of four consecutive Norwegian goals that had all arrived after the hour mark.
Team news and possible lineups
Ivory Coast may still be without Wilfried Singo after he missed the victory against Curaçao.
Norway are also monitoring the fitness of Julian Ryerson ahead of the knockout tie.
Ivory Coast expected starting eleven
Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, O Diomande, Konan; Sangare; Diallo, Kessie, Oulai, Y Diomande; Pepe
Norway expected starting eleven
Nyland; Aursnes, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berg, Berge; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa
Kick-off time and venue
The Round of 32 showdown between Ivory Coast and Norway is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 GMT at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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