Norway vs Senegal Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets | OneFootball

Norway arrive at MetLife Stadium with three points banked and Erling Haaland already on the scoresheet — but Senegal, with everything to lose, will make this a proper fight in New Jersey…

Date: Sunday, 22 June 2026 Kick-off: 20:00 ET (01:00 BST, 23 June) Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Stage: Group I, Matchday 2 TV/Streaming (UK): ITV / ITVX

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What’s At Stake

Norway sit top of Group I with three points after their 4-1 demolition of Iraq, and a second straight win here would book their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare. Senegal lost 3-1 to France on Matchday 1 and find themselves on zero points, meaning defeat to Norway would leave them needing a miracle on the final matchday. For the Lions of Teranga, this is effectively a must-win — or at least a must-not-lose — occasion, while Norway can afford a degree of freedom knowing they are already in the driving seat.

Verdict

Norway to win is the headline call here, with Haaland and company carrying the momentum of a dominant opening performance and facing a Senegal side already under pressure after their France defeat. At 11/8 for the home side, the price reflects genuine value against opponents who conceded three times on Matchday 1 and must now attack with abandon.

Norway vs Senegal Match Preview

Norway’s return to the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence has been anything but timid. Ståle Solbakken’s side put four past Iraq in their opener, with Erling Haaland leading the charge and announcing himself on the biggest stage in football. The Norwegians qualified without dropping a point across eight matches, scoring 37 goals in the process, and they carry that blistering form into a contest where a win seals their progress from Group I.

Senegal’s campaign has started in the worst possible fashion. A 3-1 defeat to France left Aliou Cisse’s former side — now under the guidance of Pape Thiaw — needing to respond. Their squad is packed with Premier League and European talent, from Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly to Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr. But the defeat to France exposed vulnerabilities at the back, and Norway are the kind of direct, clinical side capable of punishing those same weaknesses.

The game is likely to hinge on whether Senegal can keep things tight in the first half and test Norway on the counter, or whether the Scandinavians’ pressing game overwhelms a midfield that can look disjointed when under sustained pressure. With the stakes so clear and Haaland in form, this shapes up as a contest where Norway’s superior momentum is difficult to ignore.

Team Form

Norway

– Iraq (A): Won 4-1 (FIFA World Cup, 16 June 2026) – Morocco (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly, 7 June 2026) – Sweden (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly, 1 June 2026) – Switzerland (H): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, 31 March 2026) – Netherlands (A): Lost 1-2 (Friendly, 27 March 2026)

Norway’s last-five record tells the story of a side that has been building to this moment. The 4-1 win over Iraq was a statement of intent, and the pre-tournament friendlies showed they could test themselves against top opposition including the Netherlands, who they pushed closely in Amsterdam. The 3-1 victory over Sweden in June gave Solbakken’s men confidence heading into the finals, and their qualifying form — eight wins from eight — underlines just how formidable this squad has become.

Senegal

– France (A): Lost 1-3 (FIFA World Cup, 16 June 2026) – Saudi Arabia (N): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, 9 June 2026) – United States (A): Lost 2-3 (Friendly, 31 May 2026) – Gambia (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly, 31 March 2026) – Peru (N): Won 2-0 (Friendly, 28 March 2026)

Senegal’s recent record is more mixed. The defeat to the United States in a pre-tournament friendly was a warning sign, and France exposed their defensive structure on Matchday 1. They did beat Gambia and Peru in March, and their qualifying record of five wins and one draw from six games was impressive against African opposition. The concern is how they cope when stretched by teams with Norway’s pace and physicality in transition.

Norway vs Senegal Head to Head

These two nations have met just once in recorded history. That single encounter was a friendly in March 2006, when Senegal ran out 2-1 winners on home soil. With only one prior meeting to reference, head-to-head history offers little predictive weight here — the storyline is shaped entirely by what both sides have done in recent months rather than any established rivalry. What is notable is that this fixture represents their first-ever meeting at a major tournament.

Team News

Norway head into this fixture in buoyant spirits after their opening win. Erling Haaland was among the scorers against Iraq and showed no signs of the fatigue that sometimes accompanies a long club season at Manchester City. Martin Odegaard, the captain, is the creative heartbeat in midfield, while Alexander Sorloth offers a powerful alternative striking option. The squad depth across the midfield is significant, with Sander Berge and Kristian Thorstvedt providing the defensive screen that allows Odegaard to operate freely. No significant injury concerns have been flagged from the opening match.

Senegal arrive with a point to prove after the France defeat, but their squad is broadly fit and available. Sadio Mane, 34, is finally getting his World Cup chance after missing Qatar 2022 through injury and brings enormous experience in high-pressure matches. Nicolas Jackson of Bayern Munich leads the forward line and has been in fine form in the build-up to this tournament. Kalidou Koulibaly, their captain and defensive cornerstone, will need a commanding performance to keep Haaland quiet. Ibrahim Mbaye scored against France, suggesting the attacking resources remain potent despite the defeat.

Manager Pape Thiaw will need to decide whether to set up defensively and play for a draw, or to commit men forward in search of the win Senegal’s qualification hopes really demand. That tactical decision could define the entire shape of this contest.

Norway vs Senegal Predicted Lineups

Norway (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Bjorkan; Berge, Thorstvedt; Nusa, Odegaard (c), Hauge; Haaland.

Senegal (4-3-3): E. Mendy; El Hadji Malick Diouf, Koulibaly (c), Niakhate, Jakobs; Pape Matar Sarr, Gueye, Lamine Camara; Iliman Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane.

Predicted XIs based on Matchday 1 selections — squads to be confirmed.

Key Tactical Matchup

The battle between Erling Haaland and Kalidou Koulibaly is the duel this game pivots on. Haaland has already scored twice at this tournament and enters the match with 55 international goals to his name, posing a constant aerial and explosive threat in behind. Koulibaly, 34 and with 102 caps, is one of the most experienced defenders in world football and will look to use his physicality and reading of the game to nullify Norway’s focal point. If Senegal’s midfield can limit the supply to Haaland, they stay in the game; if Odegaard and Nusa find space to feed him in behind, the Norwegian striker has the ability to punish even the best defenders on the planet.

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Main Pick: Norway to Win @ 11/8

Norway are the form side in Group I. They qualified with a perfect eight-from-eight record, scoring 37 goals in the process, and their 4-1 opening win over Iraq was a reminder of just how clinical Solbakken’s side can be. Senegal need to win but their defensive record in recent months — conceding to the United States in a friendly and shipping three against France — suggests Norway will find a way through. At 11/8, the value is real.

Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals @ Evens

Norway scored four in their opener and concede very little — their qualifying run saw just five goals against in eight games. Senegal’s need to attack in search of three points, however, means this match is unlikely to be cagey. Norway have shown they can punish teams on the counter, and Senegal’s forward line has the quality to trouble any defence. Over 2.5 goals at evens is a straightforward play in a match where both sides have strong attacking incentives.

Scorer Market: Erling Haaland to Score Anytime

Haaland has scored twice in Norway’s opening World Cup match and arrives at MetLife Stadium in the kind of form that makes him almost unbackable to miss. His tally of 55 international goals in 50 caps speaks to a goals-per-game ratio that is almost without parallel in international football, and Senegal’s central defence will face a stern examination. He is the standout anytime scorer option in this match.

Bet Builder: Norway to Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Combining Norway to win with over 2.5 goals reflects the likely shape of this game. Senegal must attack and will leave spaces behind, which Norway are ideally equipped to exploit. Norway’s qualifying record and Matchday 1 performance both point to a team capable of winning while the game stays open. This combination offers a solid accumulator or bet builder option for those looking to build on the match’s clearest narrative thread.

Odds Across Operators

Here is a snapshot of the best available prices across the main match markets.

Odds are the best available at time of writing and are subject to change. Always check with your preferred operator for the latest prices.

How to Watch and How to Bet

How to Watch

Norway vs Senegal will be shown live in the UK on ITV and available to stream for free on ITVX. Kick-off is at 20:00 local time in New Jersey (01:00 BST on Monday 23 June 2026). Coverage is expected to begin around 30 minutes before kick-off.

How to Bet

If you’re looking to get on this match, here are the steps to follow:

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