Key Facts
- Norway is considered the clear favorite on the betting market, but Ivory Coast arrives as a notable underdog after four wins in five games.
- Ivory Coast most recently won 2-0 against Curaçao; Nicolas Pépé scored twice, while Yan Diomande once again made an impact as an assist provider.
- Norway’s 1–4 loss to France was marked by rotation, as Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard were rested and are now expected to provide fresh attacking power.
- Norway has scored a goal before halftime in four of its last five games, which is why an early goal by Solbakken’s team seems statistically likely.
- Over 2.5 goals is a plausible bet, as Norway’s matches have been open-ended and the Ivory Coast has scored in each of its last five games.
- Julian Ryerson is out with muscle issues, which could see Marcus Pedersen step in and put Norway’s defensive balance to the test.
Ståle Solbakken’s calculated gamble follows Norway to Dallas: Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and several other regulars were rested ahead of Tuesday’s Round of 32 match in the Copa Mundial, even though the 1-4 loss to France seemed decisive at first glance. Context is key, as Norway had already secured its spot, while the Ivory Coast, under Emerse Faé, comes into the match riding the momentum of a 2–0 win over Curaçao. Nicolas Pépé’s finishing ability and Yan Diomande’s growing influence propelled them decisively into the knockout stage.
- Date and Time: June 30, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Competition: World Cup (Round of 32)
The betting market clearly favors Norway, but when it comes to value, the picture is more nuanced. A well-rested Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard make the first half worth watching, especially since Norway has been scoring early with remarkable frequency lately. Over 2.5 goals also looks interesting because Norway’s games have remained open, while the Ivory Coast has been scoring consistently.
Ivory Coast Form & Record Check
Ivory Coast’s most recent performance was more efficient than dominant: a 2–0 win over Curaçao that demonstrated why Faé’s team can be a tough opponent in knockout soccer. Nicolas Pépé scored early and again after the break, while Yan Diomande also provided another assist. This blend of direct play down the wings and good timing in midfield has become a defining feature of their tournament. Across all competitions, the Ivory Coast has won four of its last five matches, including a 1-0 victory over Ecuador and a 2-1 win in a friendly against France ahead of the World Cup.
Their only recent setback was a 1-2 loss to Germany. The team has scored in each of those five games, with the first halves often being more controlled than chaotic.
Ivory Coast could line up in an expected 4-2-3-1 formation, with Yahia Fofana likely in goal behind Odilon Kossounou and Ousmane Diomande in central defense. Ibrahim Sangaré and Franck Kessié are set to anchor the midfield, while Yan Diomande, in strong World Cup form, is expected to make an impact with his direct runs in attack. No injuries have been reported, so no forced substitutions are expected.
Norway Form & Record Check
Norway’s 1–4 loss to France needs to be put into proper perspective. Solbakken made sweeping changes, resting Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, and yet the team still managed to score through Thelo Aasgaard following a pass from Andreas Schjelderup. The problem was early defensive vulnerability, not a collapse of their fundamental tournament credentials. Prior to this defeat—which was heavily influenced by rotation—Norway had beaten Senegal 3–2 and Iraq 4–1 at the Copa Mundial, demonstrating noticeable scoring power in competitive matches. Their broader form across all competitions also includes a 1-1 draw against Morocco and a 3-1 win over Sweden. The clear trend is goal-scoring threat, but also vulnerability, as they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last five matches.
Norway is likely to move closer to its first-choice lineup in a projected 4-3-3 formation, with Ørjan Nyland in goal, Kristoffer Ajer and Torbjørn Heggem as the central defensive backbone, and Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, and Martin Ødegaard in midfield. Julian Ryerson is listed as out due to muscle issues, so Marcus Pedersen could step in, while Erling Haaland and Antonio Nusa are expected to bring more firepower up front.
Ivory Coast – Norway Head-to-Head & Statistics
Head-to-head matches between these teams are not recorded in our data.
