Norway vs Senegal Prediction and Betting Tips

Home » Norway vs Senegal Prediction and Betting Tips

World Cup Predictions

by Fred Mwambu

1 week ago 0 13

Last Updated on June 22, 2026

Match details

Competition – FIFA World Cup 2026

Group I, Matchday 2: Tuesday, June 22, 2026

Time – 3 am

Venue – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Why Norway vs Senegal match matters

Norway sits at the top of Group I standings before this match kicks off after a sterling 4-1 win over Iraq on day one. France beat Senegal 3-1 and are joint-top on points, but Norway is ranked higher thanks to their superior goal difference. Senegal is third on the log without a point but with a -2 goal difference, but they’re highlighted for a possible knockout stage slot based on ranking, but that will depend on how they fare in the remaining two matches. A Norway win here would put them in a near-commanding position, while a Senegal win would blow the group open going into the final day.

Read our World Cup predictions here: WORLD CUP OUTRIGHT PREDICTIONS

Everything about Norway’s 4-1 win follows a beautiful story. First, the country has not been to the FIFA World Cup since the 1998 edition in France, where they achieved their best-ever result by reaching the Round of 16. Secondly, arguably their best-ever product and the nation’s all-time top scorer, Erling Haaland, finally had the chance to debut at the finals. And he did it in style, scoring a first-half brace for a dream debut.

Besides Haaland, this Norwegian side is considered their golden generation with their captain and Arsenal star Martin Odegaard sailing their ship. They’re in the USA, Mexico and Canada as genuine contenders or at least to do more than simply make up the numbers.

Now, New Jersey offers Norway the chance to build on that platform against a Senegalese side that showed enough quality not to be overlooked by any opponent.

Senegal almost matched France pound-for-pound for a long spell and were unlucky when Nicolas Jackson rattled the post, and then Ismail Sarr missed an open chance just before the main break. Kylian Mbappe, reminding us of who he is, rose to the occasion with a superb brace in the second half that melted Africa’s hopes of another upset 24 years after the 2002 opener, when Senegal won 1-0 on their debut. Yet, as Mbappe proved who he was, on the other side, an 18-year-old youngster, Ibrahim Mbaye, stole the show with a brilliant individual goal to offer Senegalese fans a genuine reason for optimism even in defeat. With Sadio Mane, huge Koulibaly and the experienced spine of this Senegalese squad still searching for their first points, this match in New Jersey has taken on must-win urgency.

Norway vs Senegal head-to-head record

01/03/2006 – Senegal 2-1 Norway

These two sides will be meeting only for the second time after Senegal won the international friendly encounter in March 2006. Definitely, none of the current generation of players or coaches was actively in their current roles at that time. But while the result is obsolete as regards the current, it shows that Senegal can have a go at Norway without fear.

Norway’s recent form – WDWDL

Norway’s last five matches

17/6/26 – Iraq 1-4 Norway
7/6/26 – Morocco 1-1 Norway
1/6/26 – Norway 3-1 Sweden
31/3/26 – Norway 0-0 Switzerland
27/3/26 – Netherlands 2-1 Norway

Goals scored – 9

Goals conceded – 5

Key trends from recent matches

Norway’s 4-1 thrashing of Iraq is the exact statement that this group dubbed their golden generation needed coming into a tournament that demands a lot from them. Their build-up to the finals was relatively fair, losing to the Netherlands 2-1, beating Sweden 3-1 and then recording draws with Morocco and Switzerland, all World Cup-grade teams. They showed their attacking strength, led by Erling Haaland with four goals, but had managed at least a goal in four of their last five, where they scored nine and conceded five.

Can Erling Haaland win the World Cup Golden Boot?

READ HERE – World Cup Top Goalscorer Predictions

Senegal’s recent form – LDLWW

Senegal’s last five matches

16/6/25 – France 3-1 Senegal
10/6/26 – Saudi Arabia 0-0 Senegal
31/5/26 – USA 3-2 Senegal
31/3/26 – Senegal 3-1 Gambia
28/3/26 – Senegal 2-0 Peru

Goals scored – 8

Goals conceded – 7

Key trends from recent matches

Senegal’s last three matches have registered a draw and two losses, something that is not motivating at all. They had managed to contain France for 66 minutes in their opening game, but Michael Olise’s combination with Mbappe was too much for their defence. They could have fought back for a draw, but again collapsed in the final eight minutes of regulation time and they were penetrated twice. While they have scored eight goals, they have conceded seven, including the three last week, meaning that they have the attacking ability to score but can concede with ease.

Norway’s team news

There were no major incidents that occurred during the first game, and therefore, Norway should have a full-strength squad to select from for this match.

Key players to watch – without a doubt, the presence of Norway’s towering giant Erling Haaland will trouble the Senegalese backline throughout the game. Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut and is among those touted to fight for the Golden Boot, having scored 52 goals for his country in 56 appearances. Their skipper, Martin Odegaard, is the engine of their midfield while Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth partners Haaland for goals.

Senegal team news

Senegal is a full squad for this game

Key players to watch: despite age catching up with him, Sadio Mane is Senegal’s biggest attacking threat with a total of 55 goals in 129 international matches and is their leading all-time scorer. Senegal’s alternative options for goals are Nicolas Jackson and Ismail Sarr, but it will also need their experienced goalkeeper, Eduardo Mendy, to be sharp in goal.

Predicted lineups

Norway: Orjan Nyland; Birger Meling – Leo Ostigard – Stian Gregersen – David Moller Wolfe; Sander Berge – Morten Thorsby; Martin Odegaard; Antonio Nusa – Erling Haaland – Alexander Sorloth.

Senegal: Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta – Kalidou Koulibaly – Moussa Niakhate – Ismail Jakobs; Lamine Camara – Idrissa Gana Gueye – Pape Matar Sarr; Ismaila Sarr – Nicolas Jackson – Sadio Mane.