Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group I
Norwayvs
Senegal
Monday, June 22, 2026 · 8:00 p.m. ET · New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, NJ
Watch: FOX · Telemundo
My pick: Norway win · locked 2026-06-21 10:00 UTCPrediction
Norway to win, just. Erling Haaland marked his first World Cup start with a brace in a 4-1 rout of Iraq, and a victory would send Ståle Solbakken's side through. Senegal, beaten 3-1 by France, have the pace and pedigree to make this a contest — Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson lead a dangerous attack — so a tight game is likely, but Haaland's threat should just edge it at MetLife. 2-1 Norway.
The case for Norway
45% to winNorway are at their first World Cup since 1998 and look the real deal, Haaland and Alexander Sørloth a brutal strike pairing fed by Martin Ødegaard. The double defensive boost of Ryerson and Wolfe restores a settled back line, and with three points already banked, a win seals a knockout berth. On this form, the Norwegians back themselves against anyone.
The case for Senegal
28% to winSenegal remain one of Africa's strongest sides and will be stung by defeat to France. Pape Thiaw can call on Mané, Sarr, Jackson and the imperious Kalidou Koulibaly, while teenager Ibrahim Mbaye gives them another spark. Win and they revive their campaign at Norway's expense; their physicality and pace can trouble a side that has yet to face an attack of this calibre.
Both cases written 2026-06-21, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 27% belongs to the draw.
Norway 4-3-34-3-3 SenegalThe briefing
Storylines
- Norway, top of Group I after thumping Iraq 4-1, reach the knockout rounds with a win in their first World Cup since 1998.
- Erling Haaland scored twice on his first World Cup start and is the headline threat against a Senegal defence marshalled by Kalidou Koulibaly.
- Senegal, beaten 3-1 by France, must respond or risk a group-stage exit; Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest African scorer at a World Cup in that defeat.
- Played in the open air at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) on a warm summer evening, with a chance of storms.
The coaches
Ståle Solbakken Norway
In his second spell as Norway boss; built an organised, transition-focused side to harness Haaland and Ødegaard.
Pape Thiaw Senegal
Appointed in December 2024; led Senegal to the 2026 World Cup and favours an athletic, front-foot 4-3-3.
Availability
| Julian Ryerson | Available — muscular fatigue shaken off, expected to start at right-back | Sports Mole / Squawka preview · 2026-06-20 |
| David Møller Wolfe | Available — earlier issue not serious, expected to keep his place | Sports Mole / Squawka preview · 2026-06-20 |
| Ibrahim Mbaye | Available — pushing Ismaïla Sarr for a starting spot after his goal v France | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FOX in English (free over the air, or stream on Fox One) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (FOX Sports / NBC News World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-21)
Weather: Open-air at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) for an evening kickoff — warm and humid, around 78°F, with a chance of an evening thunderstorm. (NWS New York seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-21)
Venue: New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, NJ, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.