2026 World Cup: Ivory Coast vs. Norway, Probable Lineups

The Ivory Coast vs. Norway match kicks off at 7 p.m. (Italian time): in Arlington, the African and Scandinavian teams will face off for a spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Both teams have earned praise for their performances during the group stage: the Elephants have proven themselves to be one of the strongest African teams, defeating Ecuador and Curaçao and losing by a narrow margin to Germany. Haaland and his teammates impressed in their first two matches against Iraq and Senegal, before losing to France with a reserve lineup.

A wide-open matchup is therefore set to take place in Texas between two national teams poised to become the tournament’s dark horses. There are doubts surrounding Faé, who might bench Pépé to field the Diallo-Bonny-Diomande trio up front again. In midfield alongside Kessié are Sangaré and Oulai, while the two fullbacks will be Doué and Konan.

After resting against France, all of Norway’s starters are back. The highly anticipated Haaland leads the front three alongside Sorloth and Nusa, while Aursnes, Berge, and Odegaard will feature in midfield. Pedersen and Moller Wolfe are expected to start as fullbacks.

Ivory Coast vs. Norway: Probable Lineups
IVORY COAST (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Doué, Agbadou, Kossounou, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Oulai; Diallo, Bonny, Y. Diomande.
NORWAY (4-3-3): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Aursnes, Berge, Odegaard; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.