Norway vs Senegal Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
In an extremely tough group, Group I, alongside two-time world champions France and minnows Iraq, Norway now face a similarly strong Senegal side in the second round of fixtures.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Norway preview: Hammering of Iraq
Norway come into this one on the back of a 4-1 demolition of Iraq in their opening game at this summer's FIFA World Cup with Erling Haaland scoring a first half brace before Leo Ostigard extended that lead and an Aymen Hussein own goal then completed a rout for the Norwegians.
Stale Solbakken's Scandinavians, back at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, will believe they can go deep this summer after an impressive qualifying campaign and the emergence of a genuinely star-studded, cohesive squad.
Senegal preview: Frustrated Senegal
Pape Thiaw and his Senegal side put in a strong performance in the first half of their opener against France, missing a couple of big chances to take the lead. They eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in the second half, though, with an impressive performance from Michael Olise sparking a surge in Les Bleus' level.
The Senegalese will be a little concerned about that because they were also fairly poor in their pre-tournament friendlies as they shared a goalless draw with ten-man Saudi Arabia after succumbing to a 3-2 defeat against co-hosts of FIFA World Cup 2026, the USA.
Norway team news: No need to change
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
There is no real need for Solbakken to change anything and there is no expectation that he will do with the 4-4-2 system that also adapts into a 4-3-3 with Alexander Sorloth and Martin Odegaard sharing the right flank.
It is arguable that Norway's weakest performer was key right-back Julian Ryerson, troubled by Ali Jasim, but the Borussia Dortmund defender is expected to keep his place in the eleven.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland
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Senegal team news: Pressure on the old guard
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Veteran forward Sadio Mane was a bright spark in their underwhelming pre-tournament friendlies but he was fairly ineffective alongside the wasteful Ismaila Sarr in their opener.
There is a chance that Thiaw now looks to bring in Senegal's opening game goal scorer Ibrahim Mbaye, as well as Iliman Ndiaye - albeit two changes would be a surprise.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Camara, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Mbaye, Jackson, Mane
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Norway’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Julian Ryerson ($4.2m) – Defender
Martin Odegaard ($7.7m) – Midfielder
Erling Haaland ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Erling Haaland
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Erling Haaland
Free kicks: Martin Odegaard
Corners: Martin Odegaard, Julian Ryerson
Senegal’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
El Hadji Malick Diouf ($4.1m) – Defender
Sadio Mane ($7.6m) – Midfielder
Nicolas Jackson ($6.7m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Sadio Mane
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson
Free kicks: Sadio Mane
Corners: Sadio Mane, Krepin Diatta
Key stats
- Norway are unbeaten in their last five FIFA World Cup group matches (W2 D3) and have won the last two.
- Norway are aiming to win successive FIFA World Cup matches for the first time.
- Norway have lost only one of their last 17 international matches (W13 D3).
- Erling Haaland has scored 57 goals in 51 international matches for Norway.
- Erling Haaland has scored in his last 11 successive competitive appearances for Norway, registering 22 goals in those fixtures.
- Senegal’s FIFA World Cup record in eight previous World Cup matches against European teams is W3 D1 L4. However, they have lost the last three.
- Senegal have never started a FIFA World Cup campaign with successive defeats and their record in their second match in previous editions reads P3 W1 D2 L0.
- Norway’s Jørgen Strand Larsen and Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr are Crystal Palace team-mates.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Norway vs Senegal prediction
Senegal will have some concerns over their performances in pre-tournament friendlies and then a lack of solidity shown in the second half of their clash against the French, as well as the profligacy of their attackers in the first half of that one in New York/New Jersey.
Norway will aim to punish that potential defensive decline with Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth set to occupy Moussa Niakhate and Kalidou Koulibaly, thus providing space for Antonio Nusa and Martin Odegaard.
Senegal remain a team that will also fancy themselves in attack, especially if Thiaw does continue to go with some of his younger options, and it is a really intriguing contest for the neutral.
Norway vs Senegal betting tip: Both teams to score
