The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, and the matchups for the Round of 32 have been revealed and are now underway.
Norway, the runner-up in Group I, will face Ivory Coast, the runner-up in Group E, in Arlington, Texas. This Round of 32 matchup should be an exciting and evenly contested game, as both teams finished the group stage with two wins and one loss for a total of six points.
Norway enjoyed a strong showing in its first World Cup group stage since 1998. It won its opening two matches against Iraq and Senegal to secure qualification for the knockout stage. With qualification already secured, Norway rested most of its starters for its final group-stage match against France.
Norway’s attack, led by Erling Haaland, who has four goals in the tournament so far, has been lethal, scoring eight goals in three group-stage matches. Although Norway is coming off a loss to France, most of its starters will be well rested for the matchup against Ivory Coast and will be looking to continue their goalscoring form in the knockout stage.
Ivory Coast quietly put together a very solid group-stage campaign with victories over Curaçao and Ecuador. It nearly pulled off an upset against Germany after taking a 1-0 lead before conceding twice in the second half, including a dramatic 94th-minute winner from Deniz Undav.
Although Ivory Coast scored only four goals during the group stage, its defense has been outstanding, conceding just two goals, both of which came against Germany.
Keep an eye on Nicolas Pépé and Franck Kessié, two of Ivory Coast’s goalscorers at this World Cup, to be key difference-makers if they hope to upset Norway.
The winner of this Round of 32 matchup will face Brazil in the Round of 16 in New Jersey on Sunday.