Norway will move a step closer to a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup when they face Senegal in East Rutherford on Monday, with victory enough to guarantee their progression to the last 32.
The Scandinavian side head into the Group I encounter in first place after an emphatic opening victory, while Senegal arrive under pressure following defeat in their first match of the tournament.
Norway’s 4-1 success over Iraq placed Stale Solbakken’s team at the top of the standings after the opening round of fixtures. Their superior goal difference over France, who finished runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, means they currently occupy pole position in the group.
A second consecutive win would ensure qualification for the knockout phase regardless of the outcome of France’s match against Iraq.
The Norwegians made a powerful statement in their opening fixture, producing the clinical finishing that had characterised their perfect World Cup qualifying campaign. Central to that performance was striker Erling Haaland, who marked his first World Cup start with two goals before half-time.
His double laid the foundation for a comfortable victory, with Leo Ostigard later adding a header before an own goal from Aymen Hussein completed the scoring. The result represented Norway’s first World Cup finals match of the millennium and offered a timely boost after a mixed run of preparations.
Despite winning all eight of their qualifying matches, Solbakken’s side struggled to maintain that momentum in warm-up fixtures, recording only one victory in their final four friendlies before the tournament.
Defensively, there have also been concerns. Norway have managed just one clean sheet in their last seven matches across all competitions and have conceded in each of their previous three games. Nevertheless, they enter the Senegal clash unbeaten in four matches and with confidence restored following their commanding display against Iraq.
For Senegal, the challenge is significantly different.
The Lions of Teranga were beaten 3-1 by France in their opening match despite briefly threatening a comeback. Head coach Pape Thiaw, who was part of the Senegal squad that famously defeated France at the 2002 World Cup, watched from the touchline as Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola also found the net.
Ibrahim Mbaye’s goal provided Senegal with a response, but it ultimately proved insufficient to prevent defeat.
The result has left Senegal facing a potentially decisive encounter. Another loss, combined with France collecting at least a point against Iraq, would leave the African side unable to finish higher than third in the group.
Their recent form will also be a concern. Senegal entered the World Cup after a 3-2 friendly defeat to the United States and a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia. Should they fail to beat Norway, they will record four consecutive matches without a victory for the first time since June 2018.
However, there may be some encouragement from history. The only previous meeting between the two nations ended in a 2-1 victory for Senegal in a friendly in 2006. On that occasion, goals from Moussa Ndiaye and Babacar M’Baye Gueye secured victory over a Norwegian side featuring John Arne Riise and Brede Hangeland.
Both teams are expected to have fully fit squads available.
Norway had fitness concerns after the Iraq match, with David Moller Wolfe forced off during the second half and Julian Ryerson reporting muscular fatigue after the game. Both players have since recovered and are expected to feature.
Attention will once again focus on Haaland, who has now scored in 11 consecutive international appearances. Against Iraq, he registered more shots than completed passes, becoming the first player to achieve that feat in a World Cup match since Fernando Torres during Spain’s successful 2010 campaign.
Senegal also have selection decisions to make in attack. Mbaye’s goal against France saw the 18-year-old become the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history, increasing calls for him to be included from the start.
Nevertheless, Thiaw is expected to retain faith in the forward line of Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane as Senegal seek a result that could keep their hopes of reaching the last 32 alive.
With qualification within touching distance for Norway and Senegal fighting to avoid the brink of elimination, the Group I contest promises to be one of the most significant matches of the second round of fixtures.
