Senegal prepares to face Norway in World Cup 2026 group match

Norway entered the Group 9 match at MetLife Stadium in New York as group leaders with three points after a 4‑0 opening win over Iraq. The Norwegian side, led by Erling Håland and captain Martin Ødegaard, aimed to secure a second straight victory and lock in a place among the last‑32.

Senegal, hoping to recover from an opening‑round defeat to France, fell 3‑2 to Norway. Forward Sadio Mané was reported to have pressed for the removal of captain Kalidou Khalifa Koly Bâ, a move that sparked debate about player influence on technical decisions. Coach Babi Thiaw acknowledged the defensive errors and said the substitution at the 72nd minute was tactical, while media sources claimed internal pressure contributed. Senegal’s next and final group game is against Iraq, where a win is essential to stay alive for the knockout stage.

Both teams remain under pressure to secure points as the group race tightens, with Norway seeking to maintain its unbeaten record and Senegal needing a comeback to keep qualification hopes.