Brazil vs Norway
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Date: July 2026
Stage: Round of 16

Five-time champions Brazil will face an unbeaten Norway side in a compelling FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash at New York New Jersey Stadium, with both teams seeking a place in the quarter-finals.

The match revives a memorable World Cup rivalry dating back to France 1998, when Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 in Marseille to secure one of the greatest victories in the Scandinavian nation’s football history. Remarkably, Brazil have never beaten Norway in four previous meetings, with the Europeans recording two wins and two draws.

Road To The Round Of 16

Brazil booked their place in the knockout phase after topping Group C on goal difference. Carlo Ancelotti’s men began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before recording convincing 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland. In the Round of 32, the Seleção came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in Houston, with veteran midfielder Casemiro equalising before substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner.

That victory extended Brazil’s unbeaten FIFA World Cup record on United States soil to 11 matches, comprising eight wins and three draws.

Norway, meanwhile, reached the last 16 after finishing second in Group I behind France and ahead of Senegal and Iraq. The Scandinavians then claimed their first-ever World Cup knockout victory by defeating Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Dallas.

Young winger Antonio Nusa opened the scoring to become Norway’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer before star striker Erling Haaland netted the decisive winner in the 86th minute, taking his tournament tally to five goals.

Head-To-Head

FIFA World Cup Meetings

• Matches: 1
• Brazil: 0 wins
• Norway: 1 win

Only World Cup Meeting

• June 23, 1998: Norway 2-1 Brazil (Marseille, France)

All International Meetings

• Matches: 4
• Brazil: 0 wins
• Draws: 2
• Norway: 2 wins
• Goals: Norway 8, Brazil 5

Last Meeting

• August 16, 2006: Norway 1-1 Brazil (Friendly, Oslo)

Key Statistics

Brazil

• Unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup matches played in the United States (W8 D3).
• Have scored in 13 of their last 14 FIFA World Cup matches.
• Lead the tournament’s all-time scoring charts with 246 goals.
• Have progressed from the Round of 16 at each of the last eight World Cups.
• Last failed to advance from this stage in 1990 against Argentina.
• Have lost each of their last six World Cup knockout matches against European opposition.
• Last defeated a European team in a World Cup knockout match in the 2002 final against Germany.

Norway

• Unbeaten against Brazil in four meetings.
• Have scored 10 goals at FIFA World Cup 2026, double their previous tournament best.
• Seeking their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance.
• Have lost only two of their last 20 international matches (W15 D3).
• Scored in the first half of each of their first four matches at the tournament.
• Registered their first World Cup knockout victory by defeating Côte d’Ivoire.

Players To Watch

Erling Haaland (Norway)
The Manchester City striker has been one of the stars of the tournament, scoring five goals in just three appearances. Haaland has now scored in each of his last 13 competitive matches for Norway, producing 25 goals during that remarkable run. Overall, he has netted 60 goals in 53 international appearances.

Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)
The Arsenal forward emerged as Brazil’s hero against Japan, scoring the dramatic winner in stoppage time. Alongside teammate Gabriel Magalhães, Martinelli shares a club dressing room with Norway captain Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal.

Interesting Connections

• Brazil’s Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli are club teammates of Norway captain Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal.
• Brazil striker Igor Thiago and Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer both play for Brentford in the English Premier League.
• Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti played his final international match for Italy against Norway in 1991.
• Norway coach Ståle Solbakken was part of Norway’s squad at the 1998 World Cup when they defeated Brazil, although he did not feature in the match.

The Stakes

Brazil are aiming to maintain their perfect Round-of-16 record across the last eight World Cups and move one step closer to a sixth World Cup title. Norway, on the other hand, are chasing another historic milestone as they seek to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

With Brazil’s pedigree and Norway’s unbeaten record against the South American giants, the New York New Jersey Stadium is set for one of the most intriguing Round of 16 encounters of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Brazil will attempt to halt an unwanted FIFA World Cup trend when they face Norway in a tantalising Round of 16 clash at the 2026 tournament on Sunday.

The five-time world champions arrive as favourites on paper, but history suggests they face a significant challenge against a Norwegian side enjoying one of the most productive World Cup campaigns in their history.

Norway have already scored 10 goals at the 2026 finals, doubling their previous best tally at a single World Cup and underlining the attacking threat that has carried them into the knockout phase.

Led by prolific striker Erling Haaland, the Scandinavians have emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages and will fancy their chances of causing another upset against one of football’s traditional powers.

Brazil, however, are desperate to restore their reputation on the biggest stage. The Seleção have suffered six consecutive defeats against European opponents in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, a sequence they will be eager to bring to an end.

The South Americans advanced to the Round of 16 after navigating a challenging group stage before overcoming Japan in the previous round, while Norway battled their way past Côte d’Ivoire to continue their impressive campaign.

For Brazil, the match represents more than a place in the quarter-finals. It is an opportunity to silence critics who point to their recent struggles against European opposition and reaffirm their status as genuine contenders for a sixth World Cup crown.

Norway, meanwhile, are chasing history. A victory over Brazil would rank among the greatest achievements in the nation’s football history and further cement their credentials as one of the breakout teams of the tournament.

With Brazil’s rich pedigree meeting Norway’s fearless attacking form, the encounter promises to be one of the standout ties of the Round of 16.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Mexico will attempt to match one of the greatest achievements in their World Cup history when they take on England in a high-stakes Round of 16 encounter on Sunday.

El Tri are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for only the third time in their history and the first time outside Mexican soil.

Mexico’s previous appearances in the last eight came in 1970 and 1986, with both tournaments hosted by the nation. A victory over England would therefore represent a landmark breakthrough and one of the most significant results in Mexican football history.

Standing in their path is an England side with a strong recent record in World Cup knockout football.

The Three Lions have won six of their last eight Round of 16 matches in the competition and arrive with ambitions of ending their long wait for a second World Cup title.

England progressed from the group stage with confidence before defeating DR Congo in the Round of 32, while Mexico overcame Ecuador to keep alive hopes of a memorable home-continent campaign.

The clash pits two nations with passionate fan bases and contrasting football traditions against each other. Mexico will rely on the energy and support generated across North America, while England will draw confidence from their recent knockout-stage consistency.

For Mexico, victory would equal their best-ever World Cup performance and move them within touching distance of an unprecedented semi-final appearance.

England, however, view the match as another crucial step in a campaign they hope will end with silverware.

With history beckoning for Mexico and expectations weighing heavily on England, the Round of 16 showdown promises drama, intensity and a place in the quarter-finals for the winner.

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