Norway vs Ivory Coast
After a group stage that had both its limitations and excitement, here’s a World Cup 2026 tie to genuinely anticipate. A first-ever meeting between two nations bidding to reach the latter stages of what FIFA insists is the greatest show on earth.
The Ivory Coast have never got this far before now, so the last 32 tie in Texas is a special moment for Les Elephants (not that they are content with it ending here).
Norway, meanwhile, have reached the last 16 just once before and will be hoping to emulate their predecessors from 1998.
Talking Points
Norway should be fresher given their manager, Stale Solbakken, made 10 changes for their clash with France on Friday night, including resting their prolific striker, Erling Haaland.
In many ways, the match, which Les Bleus won 4-1, was a “dead-rubber” after two group victories over Senegal and Iraq. I expect a whole host of their main men to return for this one.
As well as Haaland, expect to see the central defensive pairing of Torbjorn Heggem and Kristoffer Ajer come back into the starting XI in front of the last line of their defence, veteran goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
In the engine room, Sander Berge will also be back to provide a tireless defensive shield with Arsenal’s Premier League-winning captain Martin Ødegaard, pulling the strings.
Likewise, they will be hoping Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson is fit after he came off early with an injury in the win over Senegal.
An array of attacking stars will be on show, and one battle to watch out for will be between RB Leipzig teammates, Ivorian teenager Yan Diomande and Norway’s Antonio Nusa, two years his senior – both players rated highly by admirers across Europe.
It made total sense for Solbakken to rest so many players ahead of this tie, but that was not a luxury his Ivory Coast counterpart, Emerse Fae, could afford.
In truth, they would have been able to had they not been so wasteful against Germany last weekend, when they went down to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat.
That meant they needed at least a point against Curacao. And while they ran out 2-0 winners, they barely had to find more than second or third gear against the minnow debutants, courtesy of Nicolas Pepe’s double, which sealed the runners-up spot in Group E.
“Celebrate this historic qualification, as we should,” was what Fae told his compatriots afterwards. “Once we’re done celebrating, we want to go as far as possible in this competition.”
One of the most populous nations in West Africa, they have produced excellent players for decades. Household names like Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Touré, and Salomon Kalou. Yet they reached just three World Cups, in 2006, 2010, and 2014 – despite reaching the final four of the Africa Cup of Nations five times in the last two decades, winning the competition twice in that time – owing to the limited places at the World Cup reserved for African sides up until now.
Africa’s delegation has swollen from five sides in 2022 to 10 this time. While the tournament grew by 50-per cent, the African contingent did so by 100-per cent.
Is their current cohort ready to deliver more World Cup 2026 highlights and go further than ever before? That is the question we will get an answer to this Tuesday night. In front of two sets of supporters who have immense energy and passion, it should be compelling to try to find out.
Knockout stages here we come.
History
This will be the first-ever meeting between the nations.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds lean towards Norway, and they should certainly be a refreshed side.
You can back them 1X2 @ 2.12 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.47 in contrast to the Ivorians 1X2 @ 3.36 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.07. The draw is on offer at an attractive @ 3.41.
These two teams won’t be gung-ho but will likely go on the attack, and that is reflected in a range of odds which include Over 2.75 @ 2.16, Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 3.31, in contrast to 0-1 @ 3.15.
This is such an exciting encounter and one that is close to call. In fact, I would not be surprised if it goes all the way to extra time and, possibly, penalties. I do think the Ivory Coast will edge it, however.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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