Côte d’Ivoire face Norway at the AT&T Stadium, Arlingon, Texas, USA, for an enticing World Cup 2026 round of 32 clash on Tuesday. The Elephants qualified by finishing second behind Germany in Group E, while the Vikings progressed as runners-up behind France in Group I.
Côte d’Ivoire are chasing their first ever World Cup knockout-stage victory, having never progressed beyond the group phase in three previous appearances. Norway, returning to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, have already broken personal records at this tournament and arrive knowing a win here would match their all-time best finish of the Round of 16 from 1998.
Côte d’Ivoire come into this tie having navigated a testing group that included Germany. Their campaign opened with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, a 2-1 defeat to Germany, and closed with a 2-0 victory over Curaçao to secure progression. Nicolas Pépé has led the scoring at this tournament with two goals, while Amad Diallo and Franck Kessié have also found the net. The Manager has assembled a technically capable squad built heavily from European leagues, and the Ivorians will aim to use that experience to contain an explosive Norway attack.
Norway's group-stage numbers carry genuine weight. Four goals against Iraq, three against Senegal, and a 4-1 reverse to France means they arrive with seven group-stage goals from three matches and a clear identity as a direct, high-tempo attacking side built around the central presence of Haaland and the creativity of Martin Ødegaard. The one concern is how their defence holds up without the cushion of a group-stage context, having conceded six across the group phase.
Team News
Côte d’Ivoire Manager is expected to start Rizespor goalkeeper Yahia Fofana between the posts on Tuesday, leaving Alban Lafont on the bench.
Just ahead of the shot-stopper should be Odilon Kossounou and Ousmane Diomande, given that fellow centre-back Wilfried Singo is a doubt after sitting out Thursday's victory over Curacao.
Guela Doue and Ghislain Konan look set to be named as Les Elephants' full-backs, and they will be tasked with providing width as well as defensive coverage against the threat of Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth.
In midfield, Nottingham Forest's Ibrahim Sangare will be the anchor behind Franck Kessie and Christ Inao Oulai, screening the defence.
On the flanks, Paris Saint-Germain-linked Diomande will be the main threat for Ivory Coast, and he will be supporting Nicolas Pepe up top opposite Manchester United's Amad Diallo.
Possible starting lineup: Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, O Diomande, Konan; Sangare; Diallo, Kessie, Oulai, Y Diomande; Pepe
Meanwhile, Norway Manager Stale Solbakken looks set to name Orjan Haskjold Nyland in goal after handing Watford's Egil Selvik a start against France.
The shot-stopper will be protected by centre-back duo Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) and Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), hoping to keep what would be the Vikings' second clean sheet in 11 games.
The one doubt in the lineup is right-back Julian Ryerson, who sat out the 4-1 loss against France on Friday due to a thigh injury and has missed team training since.
Solbakken previously mentioned that the Borussia Dortmund man was improving day-by-day, and he could make the squad as a result, but if he is sidelined once again, then expect to see versatile midfielder Fredrik Aursnes shifted to right-back, with Patrick Berg joining the XI in the centre of the park.
Starting opposite from Aursnes would be Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back David Moller Wolfe, who provided an assist for the opener against Iraq with a great low cross.
Berg looks set to form a trio alongside Sander Berge and captain Martin Odegaard in midfield, with the Arsenal star operating as Norway's creative fulcrum.
Further forward, Alexander Sorloth - who notched 20 goals for Atletico Madrid last term - will start on the right flank, with RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa on the left, and the pair will be supporting talisman Haaland, who has scored a shocking 59 times across 52 caps for the Vikings.
Possible starting lineup: Nyland; Aursnes, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berg, Berge; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa
Team Form
Côte d’Ivoire – Last 5 Results
Curaçao – Won 2-0 (FIFA World Cup, 25 June 2026)
Germany – Lost 1-2 (FIFA World Cup, 20 June 2026)
Ecuador – Won 1-0 (FIFA World Cup, 14 June 2026)
France – Won 2-1 (Friendly, 4 June 2026)
Scotland – Won 1-0 (Friendly, 31 March 2026)
Norway – Last 5 Results
France – Lost 1-4 (FIFA World Cup, 26 June 2026)
Senegal – Won 3-2 (FIFA World Cup, 22 June 2026)
Iraq – Won 4-1 (FIFA World Cup, 16 June 2026)
Morocco – Drew 1-1 (Friendly, 7 June 2026)
Sweden – Won 3-1 (Friendly, 1 June 2026)
Kickoff: 12:00 PM (CT) | 6:00 pm (WAT) | 20:00HRS East African Time
The fixture will be staged at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium, one of the flagship venues hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
