Competition – FIFA World Cup 2026
Quarterfinal 3: Sunday, July 11, 2026
Kick-off – midnight (Saturday night)
Venue – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Why Norway vs England match matters
This is undoubtedly Norway’s greatest night ever. Norway has, for the first time, reached the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Cup after three attempts and failures. Norway, now famous for the “Viking row”, are undoubtedly this World Cup’s surprise package that has now grown into a real tournament contender. They dispatched record five-time champions Brazil with their star man Erling Haaland scoring his sixth and seventh goals to go level with Leo Messi and Harry Kane in the Golden Boot race.
That win against Brazil was historic and stretched a rare streak of four unbeaten meetings. This is only their second appearance at the World Cup since 1998 and only their fourth ever appearance after making it in 1938 and 1994 previously. This is clearly a golden generation of the Vikings.
Haaland’s Viking row
Group I appeared a tough call for Norway with France as favourites, while Senegal looked a good offer for runners-up, but Haaland was the difference. Against Iraq, Norway was expected to come out on top, but they didn’t just do that but in style as Haaland fired a double in the 4-1 victory. Haaland pulled his masterstroke again in the second against Senegal as they clipped the AFCON 2025 finalists 3-2 and had the luxury of resting players for their last group game against France. Haaland scored again late in a dramatic win over Ivory Coast to progress to a match that will define their run at this tournament.
Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland did his work perfectly well to keep out Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty in the first half, then produced acrobatic saves to Vinicius Junior, Rayan and another Guimaraes attempt later in a second half that saw more of Brazil. Haaland rose again in the last ten minutes with two strikes that delivered the historic win.
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Is it coming home?
England’s path to this quarterfinal was chaotic. Thomas Tuchel’s side had to battle on the field, a hostile home crowd and struggle for oxygen to overcome Mexico 3-2. Jude Bellingham scored twice and then Harry Kane’s penalty in the 80th minute saw them through in a match they had to defend for more than half an hour after defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card after a VAR review.
Harry Kane moved to seven goals and is now level with Haaland and Messi as the two go head-to-head for the first time in a competitive fixture.
Norway’s last five matches
- 05.07.2026 – Brazil 1-2 Norway
- 30.06.2026 – Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
- 26.06.2026 – Norway 1-4 France
- 23.06.2026 – Norway 3-2 Senegal
- 17.06.2026 – Iraq 1-4 Norway
Record: 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss
Goals scored: 12
Goals conceded: 9
England’s last five matches
- 06.07.2026 – Mexico 2-3 England
- 01.07.2026 – England 2-1 DR Congo
- 28.06.2026 – Panama 0-2 England
- 23.06.2026 – England 0-0 Ghana
- 17.06.2026 – England 4-2 Croatia
Record: 4 Wins, 1 Draw, 0 Losses
Goals scored: 11
Goals conceded: 5
Head-to-head results
- 03.09.2014 – England 1-0 Norway
- 26.05.2012 – Norway 0-1 England
- 11.10.1995 – Norway 0-0 England
- 22.05.1994 – England 0-0 Norway
- 02.06.1993 – Norway 2-0 England
Head-to-head summary
- England wins: 2
- Norway wins: 1
- Draws: 2
- Goals: England 2-2 Norway
Form guide
- Norway: W-W-L-W-W
- England: W-W-W-D-W
Norway team news
Norway welcomed back their first-choice right-back Julian Ryerson for their clash against Brazil after shaking off a thigh injury and should continue in that role. There are no more injury concerns or suspensions ahead of this fixture.
Key players to watch in Norway’s team
It has to start with Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the four games he has played so far and is a prime candidate for the golden boot. To understand how important Haaland has been, Norway has scored ten goals at this World Cup, with 70% of them scored by the gigantic Manchester City forward. He has scored in each of the last consecutive games, netting 26 goals in that run.
Their keeper, Orjan Nyland, was incredible against Brazil with several heart-stopping saves, including the penalty, while Martin Odegaard controlled the midfield and tempo of their game.
England team news
Jarell Quansah was given marching orders after VAR reviewed his conduct, while Reece James remains sidelined after a hamstring injury he picked up before the tournament. Declan Rice was yellow-carded against Mexico and should be careful if England progresses to avoid missing the game.
Key English players to watch
Harry Kane is England’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup after scoring seven goals at this tournament to bring his tally to 14 goals, six behind Messi’s record. Overall, he has scored 85 goals in 119 appearances in the Three Lions shirt.
Jude Bellingham scored two goals against Mexico and has scored four goals and an assist in total for England. Bellingham became the youngest England player to reach 50 appearances at just 22 years old.
Bukayo Saka assisted Bellingham’s opening goal against Mexico and should play a key role in the attack to keep Norway’s wingbacks at bay.
Predicted starting lineups for Norway vs England
Norway: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson-Leo Ostigard-Andreas Hanche-Olsen-David Moller Wolfe; Antonio Nusa-Sander Berge-Patrick Berg-Martin Odegaard; Alexander Sorloth-Erling Haaland.
England: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence-Marc Guehi-Ezri Konsa-Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson-Declan Rice-Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka-Harry Kane-Anthony Gordon.
Best Betting Markets for Norway vs England
Match winner (90 mins) – England to win
Total goals – Over 2.5 Goals
Both teams to score – YES
Anytime goalscorer – Erling Haaland
Anytime goalscorer 2 – Harry Kane
Best bet – Both teams to score & over 2.5
Correct score prediction: Norway 2-2 England
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