Norway and Senegal meet in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I Matchday 2 tie at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday 22 June 2026 (kick-off 1am UK time, in the early hours of Tuesday 23 June). Norway opened with an emphatic 4-1 win over Iraq, Erling Haaland scoring twice, while Senegal were beaten 3-1 by France and need a response. With qualification on the line, there’s plenty for punters to ponder. Read on for our predictions, stats and best bets for this World Cup football betting clash.
Match Overview
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Matchday | Group I – Matchday 2 |
| Date | Monday 22 June 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 1:00am UK — early Tue 23 June (20:00 local, New Jersey) |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Broadcast | ITV1 (UK) |
Key Predictions & Confidence Score
This is a fascinating clash of styles: Norway’s firepower, led by Erling Haaland after his Matchday 1 brace, against a talented Senegal side that under-performed against France and sits third in Group I. Senegal are actually the higher-ranked team (15th to Norway’s 31st), so the market is close — Norway are slight favourites at around 27/20.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland Anytime Goalscorer | 6/5 @ Bet365 (45%) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Haaland is in irresistible form, scoring twice against Iraq, and remains Norway’s focal point. Even against a strong Senegal backline, his movement and finishing make him a leading scorer pick. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | Odds TBC | ⭐⭐⭐ | Senegal are well organised at the back, and with both sides knowing a defeat could be costly, this has the makings of a tighter affair than Norway’s free-scoring opener — though the Haaland factor keeps it from being a banker. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Top Betting Tips & Value Analysis
1. Value Bet: Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: To be confirmed
Value Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Analysis: Senegal will tighten up after conceding three to France, and a Norway side protecting a strong group position may be content to control rather than chase. Both coaches are likely to prioritise shape, so anything around even money or longer on the unders could rate value — with the caveat that Haaland always threatens to blow a low-scoring game open.
2. Player Prop Bet: Sadio Mané to Assist
Odds: To be confirmed
Value Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Analysis: Senegal’s senior talisman remains their key creative outlet, and against a Norway back four that can be exposed in transition, Mané’s ability to find space could see him set up a goal. With Senegal needing to attack after their opening defeat, his involvement should rise.
In-Depth Match Analysis
Norway and Senegal go into the second round of Group I matches in contrasting moods. Norway, ranked 31st in the world, made a flying start with a 4-1 win over Iraq — Erling Haaland scoring twice, Leo Østigård adding a third — to sit top of the group on goal difference. Senegal, the higher-ranked side at 15th and reigning African champions under Pape Thiaw, were beaten 3-1 by France, a late Ibrahim Mbaye consolation their only reward, and now find themselves third and under pressure.
Ståle Solbakken’s Norway are built around the brilliance of Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard, with Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa adding firepower. Pape Thiaw’s Senegal, organised around captain Kalidou Koulibaly and senior leader Sadio Mané, have the individual quality to trouble anyone but must improve on their France display. With Norway and France both on three points, a win here would put Norway in a commanding position; defeat would leave Senegal needing a final-day result.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| Iraq | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Erling Haaland (Norway): Scored twice against Iraq and is the most lethal finisher in the group — the man most likely to settle this.
- Martin Ødegaard (Norway): Captain and creative hub, the Arsenal playmaker pulls the strings and supplies Haaland and Sørloth.
- Sadio Mané (Senegal): The senior talisman remains Senegal’s biggest threat in the final third and their likeliest source of a goal or assist.
- Nicolas Jackson (Senegal): The striker leads the line and will look to take the chances Senegal lacked the cutting edge to finish against France.
Expected Line Ups
Neither manager has confirmed his side, so the XIs below are predictions built on the Matchday 1 starting line-ups and the latest team news. Norway are expected to keep the 4-3-3 that beat Iraq, captain Ødegaard behind Haaland — Solbakken has little reason to change a winning side. Senegal are likely to stick with Pape Thiaw’s 4-3-3, captained by Kalidou Koulibaly, though changes are possible after the France defeat, with Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr pushing for starts. Final line-ups are confirmed around an hour before kick-off.
Head-to-Head Record & Statistical Analysis
These nations have met just once — a 2006 friendly in Senegal, won 2-1 by the hosts — so Monday’s tie is their first-ever competitive meeting. With almost no head-to-head history to lean on, recent form and squad quality are the better guides.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar 2006 | Senegal 2-1 Norway | Friendly |
| Statistic | Norway | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| Group I Position | 1st | 3rd |
| Goals Scored (MD1) | 4 | 1 |
| Goals Conceded (MD1) | 1 | 3 |
| FIFA World Ranking | 31st | 15th |
Player Spotlight: Erling Haaland
If Norway are to break down one of Africa’s most experienced defences, all eyes turn to Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker made the perfect start to the tournament, scoring twice in the 4-1 win over Iraq, and his blend of power, movement and ruthless finishing makes him the most feared forward in Group I. Against a disciplined Senegal unit marshalled by Kalidou Koulibaly, he may see fewer chances — but his knack of getting into high-value positions means he only needs one. Expect Haaland to be the primary threat and a leading name in the goalscorer markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the favourite to win the Norway vs Senegal match?
A: Norway are slight favourites at around 27/20, buoyed by their 4-1 win over Iraq and Haaland’s form. Senegal are actually ranked higher (15th to Norway’s 31st), though, so this is a close, competitive market.
Q: What are the best betting odds for this match?
A: Check leading World Cup football betting sites for the latest prices — Erling Haaland to score anytime and the goals markets are among the most popular angles.
Q: Where can I watch the Norway vs Senegal match?
A: The game kicks off at 1am UK time in the early hours of Tuesday 23 June and is scheduled for live coverage on ITV1 in the UK.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
This Group I clash pits Norway’s rampant attack against a Senegal side desperate to recover from their opening defeat. Whether Haaland can prise open the Lions’ rearguard, or whether Pape Thiaw’s men can stifle Norway and strike back, may shape the group. Our preferred angles are Haaland in the anytime scorer market and a lean towards the unders, given Senegal’s defensive pedigree. Keep an eye on our expert World Cup predictions for the latest tips and prices through the group stage.
Disclaimer & Responsible Gambling
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