Norway vs Senegal prediction.Norway, on a high after a 4-1 demolition of Iraq, face Senegal — beaten 3-1 by France — at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 (02:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026)). A Norway win secures their place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare. Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut. Our prediction: both teams to score. Full analysis, team news, H2H and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group I, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at 02:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026) |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA |
| Group I standings | After Match Day 1: Norway 3pts, France 3pts, Senegal 0pts, Iraq 0pts |
| Stakes | Norway win = Round of 32 secured. Senegal defeat = elimination effectively confirmed. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Haaland’s World Cup arrival vs Senegal’s survival fight
Norway’s return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence could not have gone better. Their 4-1 dismantling of Iraq was a statement performance: Erling Haaland scored twice in his first ever World Cup game, joining an exclusive group of players to mark their tournament debut with a brace. Alexander Sørloth also scored, and the partnership between the two strikers was as devastating on the biggest stage as it had been throughout qualifying. Coach Ståle Solbakken is expected to name an unchanged XI.
Norway are now level with France on three points, leading on goal difference. A win here against Senegal would secure a place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare and confirm their successful return to the tournament. The only potential vulnerability is complacency — something Solbakken will be acutely aware of going into this match.
Senegal’s 3-1 defeat to France was a hard lesson but not a fatal one. The reigning AFCON champions are not a side that gives up easily. Ibrahim Mbaye came off the bench to score their only goal of the tournament and is expected to earn a starting berth here. Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) also made a positive impact from the bench against France and is expected to start, with Pape Gueye likely dropping to the bench as a consequence.
The core of Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr, and Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) remain in the XI and represent genuine attacking quality capable of troubling any defence, including Norway’s. Their best-ever World Cup performance was a quarter-final appearance in 2002; in 2022 they reached the round of 16. Senegal are a side with a proven record of performing under pressure at major tournaments.
Team news and expected line-ups
Norway: Unchanged XI expected. Haaland and Sørloth up front. Ødegaard controls from midfield. Nusa wide. No injuries.
Senegal: Mbaye and Ndiaye expected to start. Mané, Sarr, Jackson all retained. Gueye likely drops to bench. No other changes.
Predicted XIs below are based on available team news from the KE source article. Update once confirmed XIs released before kick-off.
| Norway (4-3-3) | Senegal (4-3-3) |
| Nyland (GK) | Mendy (GK) |
| Ryerson (RB) | Sabaly (RB) |
| Ajer (CB) | Koulibaly (CB) |
| Heggem (CB) | Diallo (CB) |
| Wolfe (LB) | Jakobs (LB) |
| Ødegaard (CM) | Gueye (DM) |
| Berge (CM) | Mane (CM) |
| Aursnes (CM) | Ndiaye (AM) |
| Sørloth (RW) | Sarr (RW) |
| Haaland (ST) | Jackson (ST) |
| Nusa (LW) | Mbaye (LW) |
Key stats
- Norway: beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener. First World Cup game since 1998.
- Erling Haaland: scored a brace vs Iraq — his first ever World Cup goals.
- Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid): also scored vs Iraq. Partners Haaland up front.
- Norway: returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence (last appeared: France 1998).
- Norway form (last 5): W D W D L.
- Norway: if they win here, they qualify for the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
- Senegal: lost 3-1 to France in their Group I opener. Ibrahim Mbaye scored from the bench.
- Senegal: reigning AFCON champions (2026). Best WC finish: quarter-finals (2002). Reached R16 in 2022.
- Senegal: now three games without a win.
- Senegal form (last 5): L D L W W.
- Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG): expected to start after bench impact vs France.
- Iliman Ndiaye (Everton): also came off bench vs France. Expected to start here.
- Sadio Mané: retains his role. Experience and leadership crucial for Senegal.
- Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea): Senegal’s link between midfield and attack.
- H2H: only one previous meeting — Senegal 2-1 Norway (1 March 2006, Friendly). Senegal lead series.
- Group I standings (after Match Day 1): Norway 3pts, France 3pts, Senegal 0pts, Iraq 0pts.
Head-to-head
Norway and Senegal have met only once previously: Senegal won 2-1 in a friendly on 1 March 2006. That remains the only head-to-head data point available. This World Cup Group I match is their first ever competitive encounter.
| Date | Result |
| 1 March 2006 | Senegal 2–1 Norway (Friendly) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Norway | W D W D L |
| Senegal | L D L W W |
Our prediction
Norway are the clear favourites. Their 4-1 win over Iraq was convincing, Haaland arrives in form with a point to prove on the world stage, and a win here would complete their group-stage qualification. Sørloth and Haaland as a striking combination are one of the most dangerous in the tournament.
Senegal are not without quality. Mané’s leadership, Jackson’s attacking dynamism, and Ndiaye’s creativity provide a genuine attacking threat. Their pedigree as AFCON champions and repeat World Cup qualifiers means they should not be counted out. Norway’s defence, despite the Iraq clean-sheet appearance, has shown vulnerability in recent form.
Both sides are capable of scoring and the likelihood of a tight, competitive match with goals from both sides is high. Norway should take the points overall but Senegal’s attack is too good to be shut out entirely.
Our prediction: both teams to score.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0200Hrs UTC on 23/06/2026.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Norway vs Senegal event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Norway vs Senegal kick off?
Kick-off is at 02:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
What happened in Norway’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener on 17 June 2026. Erling Haaland scored twice in his first ever World Cup game, while Alexander Sørloth also got on the scoresheet in a commanding return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
What happened in Senegal’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Senegal lost 3-1 to France in their Group I opener. Ibrahim Mbaye came off the bench to score their only goal. The reigning AFCON champions will be determined to respond with a positive result here.
What is the Norway vs Senegal head-to-head record?
Senegal lead the head-to-head, having beaten Norway 2-1 in a friendly on 1 March 2006. That is the only previous meeting between the two nations. This World Cup Group I match is their first ever competitive encounter.
What group are Norway and Senegal in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group I alongside France and Iraq. After Match Day 1, Norway and France are both on three points, while Senegal and Iraq are yet to score a point.
Is this Erling Haaland’s first World Cup?
Yes. Norway failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, meaning the 2026 tournament is Haaland’s first World Cup appearance. He marked his debut by scoring twice against Iraq — his first World Cup goals.
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