Norway defeated Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 [2] on Tuesday in Dallas, Texas, to advance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Norwegian national team, as they reach the last 16 for the first time since 1998 [3].
The Round of 32 knockout match took place in the U.S., where Norway established an early advantage. The team held a 1-0 lead over Ivory Coast at halftime [1].
Norway maintained their momentum through the second half to secure the 2-1 win [2]. The result eliminates Côte d'Ivoire from the tournament and secures Norway's place in the next stage of the competition.
With this result, Norway has scheduled a high-profile encounter in the next round. The team will face Brazil in New York on July 5, 2026 [4].
This match was part of the expanded knockout format for the 2026 tournament, which saw a larger field of teams competing across North America. The win in Dallas puts Norway in a position to challenge one of the tournament favorites in the upcoming round.
“Norway reach the last-16 for the first time since 1998”
Norway's progression to the last-16 ends a nearly three-decade drought in deep World Cup runs. By advancing, Norway now faces a steep challenge against Brazil, one of the most successful nations in football history, which tests whether the current squad can compete with the world's elite on a global stage.
