🏆 World Cup 2026 · Group I · Matchday 2

Norway vs Senegal

Group I Matchday 2. Norway after their dominant matchday 1 win over Iraq; Senegal after their narrow loss to France. The runner-up race in Group I likely hinges on this fixture.

Norway flag
Norway
Vikings
vs 02:00 CEST (Tue) (Tuesday)
Senegal flag
Senegal
Lions of Teranga
Date
Monday 22 June 2026
Venue
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Stage
Group I · Matchday 2
Value Tip Over 2.5 Goals 1.85 +15% edge

Why: Both sides feature elite goalscorers. Norway have Haaland (55 international goals in 48 caps); Senegal have Mane (55 international goals at his last WC). Both managers favour attacking football. Implied 54%; reality closer to 65%.

EH
Anytime Goalscorer Tip
Erling Haaland
Manchester City · Norway · 55 international goals in 48 caps

Haaland scored a brace on matchday 1 vs Iraq. His Manchester City 2025-26 season produced 35 EPL goals. Senegal's centre-backs Koulibaly (34) and Diallo lack the pace to contain him. Anytime price 1.30.

IG
Card Prediction
Idrissa Gana Gueye
Everton · Senegal · combative defensive midfielder

Gueye averages a yellow every 4-5 matches. Against Norway's transition speed through Haaland and Nusa, tactical fouling is the natural play. Anytime Card around 2.30.

The stadium: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

The match is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Capacity 82,500.

MetLife hosts eight matches at the 2026 World Cup including the FIFA World Cup Final on 19 July.

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Norway: building Group I top spot

Norway's last World Cup was 1998 (28-year gap).

Stale Solbakken's squad is built around Haaland with Odegaard captaining from attacking midfield.

Something cool: Norway beat Iraq 2-1 on matchday 1 with Haaland scoring both. They now lead Group I on goal difference and the Senegal match could seal top spot.

Senegal: Mane's last dance continues

Senegal have qualified for four World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals on debut in 2002 (famous Diop goal vs France).

Pape Thiaw's squad is heavy with Premier League experience.

Something cool: Sadio Mane retires from international football after the tournament. The 2026 World Cup is his swan song after 55 international goals.

The captains

MO
Martin Odegaard
Attacking midfielder · Norway captain · Arsenal

Odegaard captain since 2021 at age 22.

Plays for Arsenal where he is club captain since 2022.

Captaining at his first World Cup.

KK
Kalidou Koulibaly
Centre-back · Senegal captain · Al-Hilal

Koulibaly captain since 2018. 103 caps. Plays for Al-Hilal.

Led Senegal to back-to-back AFCON titles 2021 and 2022.

Captaining at his third World Cup.

Form and key stats

Norway beat Iraq 2-1 on matchday 1 (Haaland brace).

Senegal lost matchday 1 to France 1-2 (Mane goal).

2-1
Norway MD1
55
Haaland int. goals
1-2
Senegal MD1
55
Mane int. goals

Predicted lineups

Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.

Norway
4-3-3
  • 1Orjan NylandGK
  • 2Julian RyersonRB
  • 5Leo OstigardCB
  • 4Kristoffer AjerCB
  • 3Fredrik BjorkanLB
  • 6Sander BergeDM
  • 8Morten ThorsbyCM
  • 10Martin OdegaardAM
  • 11Antonio NusaRW
  • 9Erling HaalandST
  • 7Alexander SorlothLW
Senegal
4-3-3
  • 16Edouard MendyGK
  • 12Krepin DiattaRB
  • 3Kalidou KoulibalyCB
  • 4Abdou DialloCB
  • 21Antoine MendyLB
  • 5Idrissa Gana GueyeDM
  • 17Pape GueyeCM
  • 8Pathe CissCM
  • 19Ismaila SarrRW
  • 10Sadio ManeST
  • 11Iliman NdiayeLW

Group I schedule

DateMatchVenuePreview
16 JunFrance vs SenegalEast RutherfordPreview →
16 JunIraq vs NorwayFoxboroughPreview →
22 JunFrance vs IraqPhiladelphiaPreview →
22 JunNorway vs SenegalEast RutherfordThis page
26 JunNorway vs FranceFoxboroughPreview →
26 JunSenegal vs IraqTorontoPreview →

All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group I overview →

Tactical preview: Haaland vs Mane's last dance

Solbakken's Norway 4-3-3 with Berge deep, Thorsby box-to-box, Odegaard as the playmaking ten, Nusa-Haaland-Sorloth in attack.

Thiaw's Senegal 4-3-3 with Gana Gueye deep, Pape Gueye and Ciss in midfield, Sarr-Mane-Ndiaye in attack.

Key matchups

Path to the Round of 32

Norway clinch top with the win. Senegal need a win to advance via second.

FAQ

Monday 22 June 2026 at 20:00 ET (02:00 CEST Tuesday 23 June). MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.

Attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), captain since 2021.

Centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), captain since 2018.

Brace on matchday 1 vs Iraq. 55 international goals in 48 caps is one of the highest rates in modern football history.

Yes, confirmed. The 34-year-old will retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup.

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