Pre-match postbag. “This one is an interesting game. Ivory Coast are a team who when I looked at squad before the tournament, I was surprised at the number of good players they have and they’ve done well so far beating Ecuador and almost holding Germany (although yesterday might be putting that result in perspective). Norway are favourites but I’ve got to think the resting of so many players against France and basically throwing that game has put them under enormous pressure today. Lose today and that decision will come under enormous scrutiny. I heard the great Phillipe Auclair on World Cup Daily mention a lot of Norwegian fans were not happy with that and something like that can puncture the feel-good mood around a team. Despite all that, I’m going for Norway to win 3-1 with Haaland getting at least two goals” – John
“Will be an engaging match and both teams are quite physical and pressing in their game. But can anyone stop Haaland when he is in his groove?” – krishnamoorthy v
“Viking helmet horns versus Les Éléphants tusks. We have definitely reached the sharp, pointy end of the tournament!” – Peter Oh
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There’s plenty of time yet before kick-off, and I guarantee there’s no better way to spend it than with our Then and Now photo essay. This is great fun. But who really did do it best? The choice is yours, though to set you off in the right direction, the 1994 versions of Brazil and Alexi Lalas beat their 2026 counterparts, Diana Ross trumps Shakira equally easily, and Maple, Zayu and Clutch can’t hold a candle to Striker.
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Norway named almost a complete team of reserves for the 4-1 loss to France, and so only Patrick Berg keeps his place from that very particular starting line-up. Ståle Solbakken welcomes back all of his first-choice men, so it’s the same team that started the 3-2 win over Senegal, with the exceptions of Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who replaces the injured Julian Ryerson, and the aforementioned Berg, who is in for the benched Fredrik Aursnes. Erling Haaland resumes his quest for the Golden Boot.
Côte d’Ivoire make three changes to the side that started the 2-0 win over Curaçao. Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan and Christ Inao Oulaï come in for Ousmane Diomande, Christopher Opéri and Amad Diallo.
The teams
Côte d’Ivoire: Yahia Fofana, Doue, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan, Sangare, Pepe, Kessie, Oulai, Yan Diomande, Bonny.
Subs: Kone, Lafont, Ousmane Diomande, Seri, Singo, Seko Fofana, Adingra, Wahi, Operi, Diakite, Diallo, N’Dicka, Guessand, Toure, Guiagon.
Norway: Nyland, Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe, Odegaard, Berge, Berg, Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Subs: Tangvik, Selvik, Thorsby, Ostigard, Larsen, Aursnes, Bjorkan, Thorstvedt, Aasgaard, Schjelderup, Bobb, Hauge, Langas, Falchener, Ryerson.
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela).
… and here’s how Norway have done. Two Group I wins for their main men, one heavy defeat for their B team.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 8 | 9 |
| 2 | Norway | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Iraq | 3 | -11 | 0 |
This is Côte d’Ivoire’s 2026 World Cup story so far. A more than respectable performance in Group E.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Curacao | 3 | -8 | 1 |
This is how we saw it from the outset. Not too much has changed. Plenty of time left for all that.
Preamble
Can you imagine a future where Côte d’Ivoire or Norway are champions of the world? Yan Diomande on one team, Erling Haaland on the other, it’s not entirely beyond the realms, is it? Two of the tournament’s dark horses, these hipster-approved outfits, face off in Texas for a place in the last 16, and we’re here for it. This has the makings of a classic, it could be so much fun. Kick-off is at 12pm local/1pm EDT/6pm BST/3am AEST. It’s on!
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