Ivory Coast vs Norway Prediction. Ivory Coast make their first ever World Cup knockout appearance against Norway at AT&T Stadium, Arlington on Tuesday, 1 July 2026 (17:00 UTC / 20:00 EAT). Haaland returns after being rested in the 4-1 defeat to France. Pepé scored a brace vs Curaçao. Ivory Coast are one of nine African nations in the knockouts. Our prediction: Ivory Coast to win or draw. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Round of 32 |
| Date & kick-off | Tuesday, 1 July 2026 at 17:00 UTC / 20:00 EAT |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA (Dallas–Fort Worth area) |
| How they qualified | Ivory Coast: Group E runners-up (6pts; beat Ecuador 1-0, lost Germany 1-2, beat Curaçao 2-0). Norway: Group I (6pts; beat Iraq 4-1, beat Senegal 3-2, lost France 1-4 — rested XI). |
| Historic significance | Ivory Coast’s first ever World Cup knockout appearance. Norway’s first since 1998. |
| Format | Single elimination. If level after 90 mins: 30 mins extra time, then penalty shoot-out. |
| Winner faces | Brazil or Japan (Round of 16). |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Ivory Coast’s historic first vs Haaland’s return
Ivory Coast have arrived at their first World Cup knockout stage appearance on the back of one of the most disciplined and composed campaigns of any African nation in the tournament. Under Emerse Faé, the Elephants beat Ecuador 1-0 through Amad Diallo, suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Germany, then returned to winning ways with a commanding 2-0 victory over Curaçao. Nicolas Pepé scored a brace in that final group match to take his tournament total and cement his place as one of the Ivory Coast’s most important attacking contributors.
Their defensive record — just two goals conceded in three matches, with two clean sheets — is the foundation everything is built on. Ousmane Diomandé and Evan Ndicka in central defence have been outstanding. Ibrahim Sangaré anchors the midfield with composure and authority, while Franck Kessié provides the experience and drive. Yan Diomandé offers creative energy in the advanced midfield role. Ivory Coast score at an average of 2.67 goals per game in the tournament — among the highest in the competition.
Norway’s 4-1 defeat to France on Match Day 3 needs context: it was a rotated XI with Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge all rested, alongside 10 changes in total. Ståle Solbakken managed the squad deliberately, and all three return here alongside Antonio Nusa and Patrick Berg. Haaland arrives with three tournament goals from his first two appearances at a World Cup, adding to a growing international legend. Alexander Sørloth partners him up front.
Norway’s last Round of 32 appearance was the 1998 World Cup, where they knocked out Italy in the group stage before losing to France. The parallels with 2026 are striking: a return to a major tournament after a long absence and a fresh crop of world-class talent centred on Haaland.
Team news
Ivory Coast: No injury concerns. Core XI unchanged. Kessié and Sangaré in midfield. Diallo and Pepé in attack. O. Diomandé and Ndicka in central defence.
Norway: Haaland, Ødegaard and Berge all return. Nusa and Berg also back. Full-strength XI. Sørloth partners Haaland up front.
| Ivory Coast (4-3-3 expected) | Norway (4-3-3 expected) |
| Fofana (GK) | Ørjan Nyland (GK) |
| Belaud (RB) | Holmgren Pedersen (RB) |
| Diomandé O (CB) | Hanche-Olsen (CB) |
| Ndicka (CB) | Østigård (CB) |
| Gosso (LB) | Ryerson (LB) |
| Sangaré (DM) | Patrick Berg (DM) |
| Kessié (CM) | Sander Berge (CM) |
| Y. Diomandé (AM) | Antonio Nusa (RW) |
| Diallo (RW) | Ødegaard (AM) |
| Pepé (LW) | Sørloth (LW) |
| Bonny/Wahi (ST) | Haaland (ST) |
Key stats
- Ivory Coast: 6pts from 3 matches. Beat Ecuador 1-0 (MD1), lost Germany 1-2 (MD2), beat Curaçao 2-0 (MD3, Pepé brace).
- Ivory Coast: first ever World Cup knockout stage appearance in tournament history.
- Ivory Coast: 2 clean sheets from 3 matches. 2 goals conceded.
- Ivory Coast: averaging 2.67 goals per game in the tournament.
- Nicolas Pepé (Villarreal): scored a brace vs Curaçao. Key attacking threat.
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United): scored vs Ecuador.
- Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré: midfield partnership.
- Ivory Coast form (last 5): W L W W W.
- Norway: 6pts from 3 matches. Beat Iraq 4-1 (MD1), beat Senegal 3-2 (MD2, Haaland brace), lost France 1-4 (MD3 — 10 changes, all key players rested).
- Erling Haaland: 3 tournament goals. Returns from rest after France defeat.
- Martin Ødegaard: creative midfield return.
- Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid): partners Haaland up front.
- Norway: first World Cup knockout appearance since 1998.
- Norway form (last 5): W W D W L (France defeat with rotated XI).
- H2H: first ever meeting between Ivory Coast and Norway.
- Winner faces Brazil or Japan in the Round of 16.
Head-to-head
Ivory Coast and Norway have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Round of 32 match is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC group stage) |
| Ivory Coast | W L W W W — only 2 goals conceded; 2 clean sheets |
| Norway | W W D W L — France loss was rotated XI; Haaland and Ødegaard return |
Our prediction
Ivory Coast carry defensive structure, momentum, and the historic motivation of their first-ever knockout appearance. Their compact shape, the organisation of Sangaré in midfield, and the double defensive pivot with Kessié give them the tools to frustrate even Haaland and Ødegaard for long periods. Their average of 2.67 goals per game shows they are far from passive.
Norway’s attack, with Haaland, Sørloth and Ødegaard restored, is one of the most dangerous in the tournament. But their defence has been exposed under pressure — the Senegal match (won 3-2) showed their vulnerability when stretched. Ivory Coast’s counter-attacking pace through Diallo and Pepé is precisely designed to exploit spaces left by a high-pressing Norway attack.
Ivory Coast’s physical, disciplined defensive structure, combined with their attacking quality on the break, makes them hard to beat. An X2 double chance reflects the analytical edge for the Elephants in this fixture.
Our prediction: Ivory Coast to win or draw (X2).
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2000 hrs UTC on 30/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Ivory Coast vs Norway event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Ivory Coast vs Norway kick off?
Kick-off is at 17:00 UTC / 20:00 EAT on Tuesday, 1 July 2026, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA.
Why did Norway lose 4-1 to France in the group stage?
Norway made 10 changes for their final Group I match against France, resting key players including Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and Sander Berge who are all restored for this Round of 32 fixture. The result had no bearing on qualification as Norway had already secured their place.
Is this Ivory Coast’s first ever World Cup knockout match?
Yes. Ivory Coast are appearing in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history. They have participated in six World Cups across 1970, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, and 2026 but have never previously advanced beyond the group stage.
Who will Ivory Coast or Norway face in the next round?
The winner of this match will face either Brazil or Japan in the Round of 16. Brazil and Japan are playing their Round of 32 match on Monday 29 June.
How many African teams qualified for the Round of 32 at World Cup 2026?
Nine of the ten African nations at the 2026 World Cup qualified for the Round of 32 — the continent’s greatest ever showing at a World Cup. Ivory Coast are one of those nine teams.
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