Norway vs Senegal — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 2
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Norway face Senegal in a heavyweight Group I clash, pitting Erling Haaland's firepower against the athleticism and depth of the African powerhouse.
Stale Solbakken's Norway are built around the goalscoring of Manchester City's Haaland and the elegance of captain Martin Odegaard, with Alexander Sorloth offering a further aerial threat. Senegal counter with a wealth of talent, including Sadio Mane, the pace of Nicolas Jackson and a battle-hardened defence marshalled by Kalidou Koulibaly.
This has the makings of an open, high-quality contest. Norway will look to feed Haaland, while Senegal's power and pace across the pitch make them a serious threat.
Key storylines
- 01Erling Haaland's goalscoring threat against Kalidou Koulibaly's experience.
- 02Martin Odegaard pulling the strings for Norway.
- 03Senegal's athleticism and depth led by Mane and Jackson.
Prediction
Norway 2-2 Senegal
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Norway
Formation 4-3-3- 1O. Nyland
- 2J. Ryerson
- 3K. Ajer
- 4L. Ostigard
- 5D. Moller Wolfe
- 6F. Aursnes
- 7S. Berge
- 8M. Odegaard
- 9A. Nusa
- 10E. Haaland
- 11A. Sorloth
Senegal
Formation 4-3-3- 1E. Mendy
- 2K. Diatta
- 3K. Koulibaly
- 4M. Niakhate
- 5I. Jakobs
- 6P. Gueye
- 7I. Gueye
- 8P. Sarr
- 9I. Sarr
- 10N. Jackson
- 11S. Mane
Team news
Norway
- Erling Haaland is Norway's primary goal threat.
- Martin Odegaard captains and creates from midfield.
Senegal
- Sadio Mane remains a key attacking presence.
- Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the Senegalese defence.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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