7M - World Cup Preview: Cote d'Ivoire VS Norway - prediction, team news, lineups

A complete deep dive ahead of this hotly contested Round of 32 fixture between Ivory Coast and Norway, set to unfold in Texas. This piece covers tactical battles, squad updates, projected starting XIs and all key talking points.

Tight World Cup last-32 showdown awaits in Texas

This knockout tie looks set to be one of the hardest results to predict across the entire Round of 32 stage. Attack-minded Ivory Coast lock horns with a Norway side led by the world’s most lethal frontman, with only two FIFA ranking spots separating the two nations. The heat of Texas will set the stage for a winner who earns a last-16 berth against either Brazil or Japan.

How each side secured knockout qualification

The Elephants made history by finding the net in all three of their group stage outings — only the second African national team ever to pull off this feat at a World Cup. They edged a rigid, defence-focused Ecuador before suffering a heartbreaking late defeat against Germany. The Ivorians then bounced back emphatically with a 2-0 shutout of Curacao, with former Arsenal flop Nicolas Pépé silencing critics by bagging both goals.

Norway’s group run delivered nonstop entertainment from start to finish. Their travelling supporters created an electrifying atmosphere with passionate, rousing chants throughout every match. Across their three group games, 15 total goals were scored at an average of five per fixture. In their final group fixture versus France, head coach Ståle Solbakken rested multiple first-team stars, including Erling Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard and highly rated wide attacker Antonio Nusa, resulting in a 4-1 loss. Right-back Julian Ryerson was also spared action that day and is poised to return to the starting lineup here.

Club teammates turned knockout rivals

Football fans everywhere are buzzing about the immense talent of 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. Multiple elite European clubs are chasing his signature ahead of the summer transfer window. Blessed with blistering pace, tight ball control and elite dribbling ability, the reported Liverpool target will go head-to-head with his Leipzig teammate Antonio Nusa down Norway’s right flank. Nusa has earned the nickname “the Norwegian Neymar” in football circles, and their one-on-one duel could well decide which team advances.

The big question: Can anyone contain Erling Haaland?

Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland is hungry to add to his four World Cup goals so far, with Arsenal playmaker Martin Ødegaard set to supply most of his service. Haaland will be closely marked by Atalanta’s Odilon Kossounou and Sporting CP’s gifted 22-year-old centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Projected Starting Lineups

Likely Ivory Coast XI

Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Diomande, Operi; Sangaré, Kessié; Amad, Pépé, Diomande; Bonny

Likely Norway XI

Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa

Full 26-Man Tournament Squads

Ivory Coast Squad

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Başakşehir), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray)

Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Rennes), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi), Franck Kessié (Al Ahli), Christ Oulai (Trabzonspor), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (NK Maribor)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter), Amad Diallo (Man Utd), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal), Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (Nice)

Norway Squad

Goalkeepers: Ørjan Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburg SV)
Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Møller Wolfe (Wolves), Fredrik Bjørkan (Bodø/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjørn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Østigård (Genoa), Sondre Langås (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking)
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodø/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Man City), Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid), Jørgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodø/Glimt)

Ivory Coast are managed by Emerse Faé. At present, there are no confirmed absences through injury or suspension, and the official starting eleven has not yet been locked in. Fresh team updates will be released in the build-up to kick-off.

Norway boss Ståle Solbakken also has no reported injury or suspension concerns to address as things stand. The official matchday lineup remains unannounced, with further squad information to follow ahead of kickoff.