World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast vs Norway Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Ivory Coast take on Norway in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, with kickoff at 19:00 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. Emerse Fae's side reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group E, while Norway came through Group I as runners up behind France. With Erling Haaland in red hot form this has the look of an open contest. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast booked their place in the last 32 by opening the scoring in all three group games, beating Ecuador and Curacao either side of a narrow stoppage time defeat to Germany. In my opinion Fae has struck a good balance, with Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare giving the side a solid spine and Nicolas Pepe rediscovering his best form with a brace against Curacao. Yan Diomande has emerged as a real threat on the flank, and Amad Diallo adds Premier League quality in the final third. My read on this is that the Elephants will back themselves to go toe to toe rather than sit back.

Predicted Lineup: Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Diomande, Operi; Sangare, Kessie; Diallo, Diomande; Pepe, Bonny.

Norway

Norway arrived in the knockouts as the great entertainers, with fifteen goals coming in their three group games as Erling Haaland struck four times, including a brace in the 3-2 win over Senegal. From my point of view Stale Solbakken has a side that will always score but also leaves gaps at the back, having conceded in each of their group games. Martin Odegaard pulls the strings behind Haaland, but it’s their star striker who is the most dangerous weapon on this team. Solbakken rested several first choice players in the final group game, so Haaland, Odegaard and Nusa all return refreshed for this one.

Predicted Lineup: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.

Both these sides love to attack and neither defence has looked convincing, so I am expecting an open game with chances at both ends. Norway carry the bigger goal threat through Haaland and Odegaard, and in my opinion that extra cutting edge is what separates the teams. Ivory Coast will score, but I just favour Norway to edge a high scoring tie. My forecast: Ivory Coast 1 Norway 2.

BTTS: Yes (1.73)

I am backing both teams to score and my read on this is that the goals which came so freely in the group stage in games involving these teams will not dry up here. Ivory Coast have found the net in every game and opened the scoring in all three group matches, while Norway have conceded in each of their fixtures despite their attacking firepower. With Haaland at one end and Pepe and Amad at the other, I expect both nets to be tested.