Norway to meet Ivory Coast in World Cup 2026 Round of 32 as Haaland draws focus

Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken praised striker Erling Haaland ahead of the team’s Round of 32 clash with Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, noting Haaland’s four group‑stage goals and his leadership on the pitch. Solbakken warned that Ivory Coast will be physically strong and urged his side to match that intensity.

Ivory Coast manager Emerson Faye released his starting eleven for the match, which will be played at Dallas’s stadium in Texas, USA. The line‑up features goalkeeper Yahya Fofana, defenders including Joël Doué and Odilon Koussou, midfielders Ibrahim Sangari, Frank Kessy and Ouli, and forwards Nicolas Bebi, Yan Demandi and Bouni. Norway’s announced XI includes goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, defenders Marcus Bidstren, Christopher Ager, Turpyrn Høgim and David Wolf, midfielders Børge, Sandr Berg and Martin Ødegaard, and forwards Alexander Sørloth, Haaland and Antonio Nusa.

Both sides are returning to the knockout stage after long absences—Norway for the first time since 1998 and Ivory Coast after a strong group‑stage performance. The match is expected to be tightly contested, with the outcome potentially decided by a small margin or a moment of luck.