Norway vs Ivory Coast Today: Kickoff Time, Live Stream, Team News & Key Storylines

Dallas—A place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 hangs in the balance when Norway meet Ivory Coast on Tuesday, 30 June, at Dallas Stadium. Kick-off is 13:00 ET (18:00 BST/19:00 CET), with live coverage on FOX (USA), BBC One (UK) and global streaming via official FIFA partners. High-stakes showdown • Both nations qualified as group runners-up, Norway finishing behind France in Group I while Ivory Coast trailed Germany in Group E. • The fixture is the first competitive meeting between the sides, adding extra intrigue to an already finely-balanced tie. Key storylines 1. Haaland hunting records Erling Haaland has four goals in two World Cup appearances and is rested, fresh and eager to add to his tally after sitting out Norway’s 4-1 loss to France. Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard will again pull the strings behind him. 2. Ivory Coast’s fearless generation Coach Emerse Faé has blended experience (Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré) with rising stars such as 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande, whose duel with Norway’s Antonio Nusa on the flanks could decide momentum. 3. Midfield battle of bruisers vs ball-players Sangaré and Kessié’s physical edge contrasts with Norway’s slick trio of Ødegaard, Fredrik Aursnes and Sander Berge. Whoever dominates tempo should unlock spaces for Haaland or Nicolas Pépé. Predicted line-ups Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, O. Diomande, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Oulai; Amad Diallo, Bonny, Yan Diomande. Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Nusa, Haaland, Sørloth. Form guide • Ivory Coast: W L W W W — seven goals scored, three conceded in last five. • Norway: L W W D W — 12 scored, nine conceded, every game over 2.5 goals. What to watch for • Set pieces: Norway have converted three corners so far; Ivory Coast have conceded twice from dead-balls. • Heat factor: Afternoon temperatures in Texas could exceed 33 °C, favouring the Elephants’ high-intensity press late on. • Bench impact: Norway’s Oscar Bobb and Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra average a goal contribution every 65 and 70 minutes respectively off the bench. Stat of the trend No African team has ever beaten a European opponent in the World Cup knockout phase since Ghana defeated the USA in 2010; Ivory Coast could rewrite history. Prediction Expect end-to-end football and goals. If Haaland finds early space, Norway edge it 3-2; if Ivory Coast contain him until halftime, their depth and direct pace could steal a 2-1 upset after the hour mark. Penalties loom if neither side blinks first. SEO tags to target: Norway vs Ivory Coast, World Cup 2026 round of 32, Haaland vs Ivory Coast, Norway kick-off time, Ivory Coast line-up, how to watch Norway Ivory Coast live.