Norway face Senegal in the second round of games in World Cup 2026 Group I this evening, with Erling Haaland hoping to lead his nation to a potentially pivotal victory in New Jersey.
Stale Solbakken’s side were convincing winners as they beat Iraq 4-1 in Boston in their opening game, and they will look to keep the pace with France tonight as Les Bleus face Iraq in Philadelphia.
And while they will hope to contend for first place in the group when they face France later this week, the Norwegians will know that a win this evening all but guarantees a spot in the last 32.
However, they’ll have to get past a tricky Senegal side first of all, with the Lions of Teranga hoping to get their own campaign on track after losing 3-1 to France in their opener.
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Team news
As for Senegal, there are no new injury worries for the Lions of Teranga either, so we’ll likely see a similar starting line-up to the one that faced France.
As is the case with Norway, the Senegal front three is the heart of the team, led by Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr.
Nevertheless, the likes of Lamine Camara and Iliman Ndiaye mean that there’s plenty of talent throughout this squad.
Team news
There are no new injury concerns for Norway after their opening win, so we could well see a similar team to the one that started their opener last week.
Erling Haaland will of course lead the line, with Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa likely to help him in attack.
In midfield, Martin Odegaard remains the key man, with the capable Sander Berge and Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes in support.
How Kylian Mbappe inspired France’s devastating win over Senegal – and broke records on the way
And here’s what happened in Senegal’s first outing…
Now Kylian Mbappe has accelerated past Pele. Just Fontaine and Olivier Giroud, too. A record-breaking goal in French history came during a landmark brace in World Cups. More immediately, though, it gave France and Mbappe a winning start. His quest to play in a third World Cup final at just 27 is up and running.
Mbappe’s magnificent double, sandwiching a strike from Bradley Barcola, prevented a repeat of 2002 and rewrote many a record book. Mbappe’s goals were his 57th and 58th goal for his country. He leapfrogged his old partner Giroud, who broke Thierry Henry’s France record at the last World Cup, and knew he was only borrowing it before Mbappe claimed it, presumably to keep for rather longer. Some 14 of them have come in World Cups: Fontaine got 13 in one tournament alone while Pele’s dozen took four. That, too, may be another record Mbappe is destined to hold. Miroslav Klose could lose it in the next few weeks.
Erling Haaland scores twice on World Cup debut as Norway hammer Iraq
Last time out for Norway…
Erling Haaland opened his World Cup account with a brace on his tournament debut as Norway rolled past Iraq 4-1 in Boston.
Norway, appearing in the tournament for the first time in 28 years, took the lead after 29 minutes as Sander Berge played David Moller Wolfe in on the left of the penalty area and his low cross was turned in at the back post by Haaland.
Moments later, the Manchester City striker almost turned provider after latching on to Antonio Nusa’s fine pass and feeding Alexander Sorloth, whose shot was well blocked, with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard firing wide as Norway continued to dominate.
Norway vs Senegal live
Tonight’s game is taking place at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (which is the venue that will also host the final on 19th July).
Kick-off is set for 8pm local time, and 1am BST (on Tuesday, 23rd June).
Good evening
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s World Cup group game between Norway and Senegal in Philadelphia.
Erling Haaland and co. are hoping to make it two wins from two after their opening win over Iraq last week, while Senegal are looking to get their campaign off the ground after losing to France in their opener.
We’ll have all the latest team news and updates right here.
