Norway vs Senegal Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview
Norway vs Senegal World Cup 2026 predictions: Norway lead Group I and can seal knockout qualification, while Senegal face elimination at MetLife Stadium.
Luca Ferretti
Updated on 19 June 2026
Norway vs Senegal | Group I, Matchday 2 | Monday, June 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM ET
Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), USA
Group I Standings: Norway (1st, 3pts) vs Senegal (3rd, 0pts)
TV/Streaming (USA): Fox Sports
Why This Game Matters
Six days after Erling Haaland announced Norway’s arrival at this World Cup with a brace against Iraq, and just days after Senegal were beaten 3-1 by France, these two sides meet with their entire tournament destiny on the line. Norway can effectively seal a place in the knockout rounds with a second consecutive win. Senegal, on zero points and with France still to come, need a result here or they face elimination before the final group game. This is not a routine Matchday 2 fixture. It is, for one of these teams, the match that ends their World Cup campaign before it truly begins.
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Our Pick
Norway to win at +135 is the call here, backed by their goal-scoring form and the pressure bearing down on a Senegal side that has just shipped three goals to France. A team that went a perfect 8-for-8 through UEFA qualifying and opened this tournament with a 4-1 demolition of Iraq has the firepower and the confidence to punish a rattled Senegal defence.
Norway vs Senegal: Preview, Picks and Betting Odds
Ståle Solbakken’s Norway arrive at MetLife Stadium riding the crest of a wave that has been building for two years. Eight wins from eight in UEFA qualifying, 37 goals scored, and now a commanding 4-1 World Cup opener. The “golden generation” narrative that followed this squad to the United States is no longer hype. It is a statement backed by results. Haaland’s two goals against Iraq were his first at a World Cup, and the Manchester City striker looks primed to add to his tally against a Senegal side that was torn apart through the middle by France’s pace and directness.
Senegal’s situation is genuinely precarious. Coach Pape Thiaw took over from Aliou Cisse in 2024 and has guided the side to this point, but the 3-1 defeat to France exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Norway, with their directness and aerial threat, will target relentlessly. Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson give Senegal attacking quality capable of hurting any team on a given night, but generating chances is only half the equation when a side needs a result and their confidence has taken a blow.
The group table makes the stakes unmistakable. Norway are three points clear of Senegal with two games still to play. A Norway win would put them six points clear with one game remaining, effectively booking their last-16 ticket. For Senegal, only a win keeps their campaign alive in any meaningful sense. Expect an open game, with Senegal forced to commit forward and Norway happy to hit them on the break with the most lethal counter-attack in this group.
Recent Form and Trends
Norway – Last 5 Results
- Iraq (A): Won 4-1 (World Cup, June 16)
- Morocco (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly, June 7)
- Sweden (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly, June 1)
- Switzerland (H): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, March 31)
- Netherlands (A): Lost 1-2 (Friendly, March 27)
Norway’s form across the last five games is broadly positive, and critically the only competitive fixture produced a four-goal haul. Their pre-tournament friendlies showed a team still calibrating, but Solbakken’s side clearly raised their level when the World Cup began. The Iraq win was not just a scoreline; it was a performance of controlled aggression, with Haaland and the supporting cast running free.
Senegal – Last 5 Results
- France (A): Lost 1-3 (World Cup, June 16)
- Saudi Arabia (N): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, June 9)
- United States (A): Lost 2-3 (Friendly, May 31)
- Gambia (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly, March 31)
- Peru (N): Won 2-0 (Friendly, March 28)
Senegal’s last five is a concerning picture heading into this game. They have lost two of their last three, conceding six goals across those two defeats, and their only win against meaningful opposition was the friendly against Gambia. The 0-0 against Saudi Arabia and the 3-1 defeat to France bookend a team that struggles to maintain defensive structure against high-tempo opposition. Norway will have noted the spaces France exploited and will look to replicate them.
Injuries, Suspensions and Roster News
Norway carry an impressive depth of talent into this fixture. Martin Odegaard captains the side and the Arsenal midfielder gives Solbakken a technical anchor in the middle of the park. Alongside him, Sander Berge and Kristian Thorstvedt provide physicality and range of passing. At the back, Kristoffer Ajer brings 52 caps of experience. There are no confirmed absences heading into Matchday 2, and the squad that turned Iraq over so comprehensively will be expected to start again.
Senegal’s defensive options require scrutiny after the France defeat. Kalidou Koulibaly, with 102 caps, is the anchor of the back line and Thiaw will need him at his best against Haaland’s physical presence. Edouard Mendy is the expected starter in goal after his 56-cap career at club and international level. The concern is less about individual quality and more about the psychological state of a unit that has just conceded three times at this exact venue.
In attack, Senegal have real weapons. Mane has 127 caps and brings vast World Cup experience. Jackson, now at Bayern Munich, offers a younger, more explosive threat. Ismaila Sarr at 82 caps provides wide danger. Teen forward Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal’s only goal of the tournament so far, proving that the attacking talent is present. The question is whether the team can hold shape long enough defensively to let those players express themselves.
Expected Lineups
Norway (4-3-3): Orjan Nyland; Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Ostigard, Fredrik Andre Bjorkan; Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard (c), Kristian Thorstvedt; Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland, Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Senegal (4-2-3-1): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakate, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr; Ismaila Sarr, Lamine Camara, Iliman Ndiaye; Sadio Mane.
Predicted lineups – squads to be confirmed nearer kickoff.
Key Matchup to Watch
The duel between Erling Haaland and Senegal’s central defensive partnership of Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate is the axis on which this game turns. Haaland already has two World Cup goals from his opening game and brings 55 international goals in 50 caps to this contest. Koulibaly is experienced enough to manage the physical battle, but the 34-year-old was exposed by France’s movement through the channels on June 16. Haaland does not need wide space; he punishes the half-second of hesitation that comes when defenders are already carrying psychological weight from a heavy defeat. If Norway’s midfield can supply him quickly, Senegal’s backline will be under relentless pressure throughout.
Best Bets and Expert Picks
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Pick 1 – Norway to Win @ +135 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel)
Norway have won their last World Cup qualifier and their opening tournament game, and they face a Senegal side that has conceded four goals in their last two competitive-level outings. The price reflects a match that genuinely could go either way, but the evidence points clearly in one direction. Norway’s qualifying record of eight wins from eight, scoring 37 goals, is not the output of a team that fades under pressure.
Pick 2 – Over 2.5 Goals @ -101 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel)
Norway scored four against Iraq and Senegal conceded three against France. Both sides have attacking quality capable of finding the net at this World Cup, with Haaland having two already and Mane plus Jackson presenting danger at the other end. A must-win game for Senegal forces them to commit forward, which opens space for Norway to exploit on the counter. The over at -101 represents clear value in this context.
Pick 3 – Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer
Haaland has scored in both World Cup games he has appeared in, arriving at this tournament in the form of his international career with 55 goals in 50 caps. He faces a Senegal defence that shipped three to France, including goals from open play and set pieces. The Manchester City striker’s combination of aerial dominance, movement in behind, and finishing instinct makes him the most dangerous anytime scorer option in this fixture regardless of which sportsbook you use.
Norway vs Senegal Betting Odds and Lines
Here is a comparison of the current Norway vs Senegal odds across three leading US sportsbooks ahead of the June 22 kickoff.
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway Win | +135 | +135 | +135 |
| Draw | +250 | +240 | +240 |
| Senegal Win | +195 | +200 | +200 |
| Total Goals | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 | -101 | -101 | -105 |
| Under 2.5 | -115 | -115 | -115 |
How to Watch and Where to Bet
How to Watch
Norway vs Senegal kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on Monday, June 22, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In the United States, the match is broadcast on Fox Sports and streamed via the Fox Sports app. Viewers in the UK can watch on ITV or BBC, while Canadian audiences can find coverage on CTV, TSN, and RDS. The game is also available in Germany on ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV, in France on TF1 and beIN Sports, and in Australia on SBS and Optus Sport.
How to Bet
Ready to back one of these Norway vs Senegal picks? Here is how to get a wager on before the 8:00 PM ET kickoff.
- Choose a licensed US sportsbook such as BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Navigate to the World Cup 2026 section in the sportsbook lobby.
- Find the Norway vs Senegal match under Group I fixtures.
- Browse the available markets: match result, total goals, and player props.
- Check the best available price across all three books before committing.
- Enter your stake in the bet slip and review the potential payout.
- Confirm the bet before the 8:00 PM ET kickoff on June 22.
- Watch live on Fox Sports and track your bet as the game unfolds.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling: Betting should be enjoyable and within your means. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, free and confidential help is available 24/7 via the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700, or by texting 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also find support and resources at ncpgambling.org and Gamblers Anonymous. Set limits, take breaks, and never chase losses.
Luca Ferretti
When he is not breaking down match footage or tracking the form of clubs across Italy, Luca can usually be found in heated discussions about whether Italian football is genuinely back or just temporarily convincing everyone it is. He covers Serie A tactics, player form, and the broader culture of the Italian game for Footitalia.
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