Mexico vs Ecuador preview, prediction, team news, likely lineups, betting tips and score prediction ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on 1 July 2026 at Mexico City Stadium.
| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Norway to Win | 1/1 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Place Bet |
![]() |
Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway | 8/1 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Place Bet |
![]() |
Over 2.5 Goals | 4/5 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Place Bet |
![]() |
Both Team to Score - Yes, Over 2.5 Goals, and Erling Haaland to Score Anytime | 9/5 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 29/06/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (12:06 29/06/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
Knockout football has a habit of bringing out the best in teams, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what makes this Ivory Coast vs Norway prediction such an interesting one. Neither side is here by accident and both have shown enough during the group stage to believe they can keep their World Cup dream alive. One mistake could end it. One moment of quality could make all the difference. So who handles the pressure better?
Ivory Coast reached the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history after an impressive group campaign, while Norway are back on football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998 and already look like they belong. That sets up a fascinating battle between two confident sides with plenty of attacking quality.
Ivory Coast arrive full of confidence after finishing second in Group E. Emerse Fae’s side picked up victories over Ecuador and Curacao, with only Germany managing to get the better of them. They have looked organised throughout the tournament and carry a genuine threat in the final third.
Nicolas Pepe has rolled back the years with some excellent displays and his brace against Curacao came at exactly the right time. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has added creativity from wide areas, while Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare continues to provide balance in the middle alongside Franck Kessie of Al Ahli. Kessie is also the most likely player to take penalties, while Pepe is expected to handle most dangerous free kicks around the box.
At the back, Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP and Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta have formed a solid partnership in central defence. Wilfried Singo has been dealing with a hamstring problem and could miss out again, meaning Guela Doue is expected to continue at right back.
Norway have taken an entertaining route into the knockout stage. Wins over Iraq and Senegal secured qualification before a rotated side came unstuck against France in the final group game.
Everything still revolves around Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has already shown why he is one of the world’s most feared finishers and remains Norway’s biggest goal threat. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard pulls the strings behind him and is expected to continue on penalty duties, while Odegaard also takes the majority of Norway’s free kicks and set pieces.
Alexander Sorloth of Atletico Madrid offers a powerful presence alongside Haaland, while RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa has been one of Norway’s brightest performers with his pace and direct running. Julian Ryerson has been working his way back after missing the France game and could return at right back if fully fit.
Ivory Coast:
Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, O Diomande, Konan; Sangare; Diallo, Kessie, Oulai, Yan Diomande; Pepe.
Norway:
Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Odegaard, Berg, Berge; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
This feels like one of the toughest ties in the Round of 32 to call. Ivory Coast have been disciplined throughout the tournament and rarely lose their shape. Norway, on the other hand, have looked far more open but carry serious firepower whenever Haaland is on the pitch.
The midfield battle could decide everything. Sangare and Kessie will try to stop Odegaard finding pockets of space between the lines. If they manage that, Norway become much easier to contain.
Out wide, there are some brilliant individual battles too. Yan Diomande against Norway’s right side promises plenty of excitement, while Nusa will test Ivory Coast’s full backs every time he gets the chance.
If you’re looking for more selections across the tournament, our todays football tips page has plenty more fixtures covered.
Both teams have enough quality going forward to create chances, so backing both teams to score looks like a sensible starting point.
Haaland is always capable of producing a match-winning moment, but Ivory Coast have enough attacking quality themselves through Pepe, Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande to cause Norway problems.
Corners could also build up if the game stays level for long periods, with both teams relying heavily on wide players.
This has all the ingredients of a really entertaining knockout game. Ivory Coast look slightly stronger defensively, while Norway probably have the biggest individual match winner on the pitch in Haaland.
That could be the difference.
Match Prediction: Norway to win. Bet with bet365.
A 2-1 win for Norway stands out as the most likely result.
A 1-1 draw after 90 minutes also wouldn’t be a surprise if both defences manage to keep things tight early on.
Correct Score Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway. Bet with bet365.
Over 2.5 goals is worth considering given the attacking talent on show.
Both teams have shown they can score during the tournament, and Norway’s matches have generally produced plenty of chances.
Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Bet Builder Tip: Both Team to Score – Yes, Over 2.5 Goals, and Erling Haaland to Score Anytime. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history by finishing second in Group E.
Norway qualified as runners-up in Group I after wins over Iraq and Senegal.
Nicolas Pepe scored twice in Ivory Coast’s final group game against Curacao.
Erling Haaland heads into the knockout stage after scoring four goals during the group phase.
The winner will move into the Round of 16 to face either Brazil or Japan.
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad
Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
It should be a close game, but Norway’s attacking quality, led by Erling Haaland, gives them a slight edge.
Kick-off is at 6pm BST on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
The match takes place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.