Norway vs Senegal Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview

Norway vs Senegal | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I, Matchday 2
Monday, June 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM ET | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox Sports | Stage: Group I

• Group I Standings (after Matchday 1): Norway 1st (3 pts, +3 GD) | France 2nd (3 pts, +2 GD) | Senegal 3rd (0 pts, -2 GD) | Iraq 4th (0 pts, -3 GD)

Why This Game Matters

A win for Norway here would almost certainly seal a place in the knockout round with a game to spare; for Senegal, defeat to the group leader would leave them needing a result against France in their final fixture just to survive, making this a near-must-win for Pape Thiaw’s side and raising the stakes considerably on a warm New Jersey night.

Our Pick

Norway are the pick to win at +135, backed by their dominant Group I opener and the most dangerous center-forward at this tournament. That price represents genuine value for a side that has conceded just five goals across eight qualifying wins and already demonstrated they can punish compact defenses when Erling Haaland is on song.

Norway vs Senegal: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds

Norway arrive at MetLife Stadium as Group I leaders after their 4-1 dismantling of Iraq on Matchday 1, a result that announced their return to World Cup football in emphatic fashion. Manager Ståle Solbakken has built a side capable of suffocating opponents through midfield control before releasing Haaland and the wide forwards into space. The Norwegians qualified with a perfect eight-from-eight record, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five, and that ruthless efficiency has carried into the tournament itself.

Senegal face a steeper climb. J. Koto’s side were beaten 3-1 by France on Matchday 1, and their attacking output in recent friendlies has been inconsistent, with a 3-2 loss to the United States and a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia preceding the tournament. Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gueye bring vast experience, but the opening-game defeat has stripped away any margin for error in this fixture.

The shape of this contest likely depends on whether Senegal can pressure Norway’s midfield high enough to disrupt Martin Odegaard’s distribution. If Norway are allowed to build through Odegaard and Sander Berge from deep, Haaland’s movement becomes virtually unstoppable for a Senegalese back line that has already conceded three in a single game at this tournament. Norway should have enough.

Recent Form & Trends

Norway – Last 5:

• Iraq (N): Won 4-1 – FIFA World Cup
• Morocco (N): Drew 1-1 – Friendly
• Sweden (H): Won 3-1 – Friendly
• Switzerland (H): Drew 0-0 – Friendly
• Netherlands (A): Lost 1-2 – Friendly

Norway’s competitive form is what matters here. The 4-1 World Cup win over Iraq came against a side that is no pushover in Asian football, and the pre-tournament friendlies included creditable results against Morocco and the Netherlands. Solbakken’s side have conceded in only one of their last three matches overall.

Senegal – Last 5:

• France (A): Lost 1-3 – FIFA World Cup
• Saudi Arabia (N): Drew 0-0 – Friendly
• United States (A): Lost 2-3 – Friendly
• Gambia (H): Won 3-1 – Friendly
• Peru (N): Won 2-0 – Friendly

Senegal’s recent results paint a picture of a team still finding its competitive rhythm under their new manager. The 3-1 defeat to France was their first competitive outing of the tournament, and the goalless draw with Saudi Arabia alongside the friendly loss to the United States suggest defensive vulnerability has carried into this cycle. Ibrahim Mbaye’s goal against France showed there is attacking threat, but Senegal’s back line will need to be sharper here.

Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News

Norway have no reported suspensions following their Matchday 1 win over Iraq. Erling Haaland is fit and has already scored twice in this tournament, making him the clear focal point of Solbakken’s attack heading into this fixture. Martin Odegaard pulled the strings from midfield against Iraq, and there is no indication the Arsenal captain is carrying any issue ahead of Monday’s game.

Senegal have no reported suspensions from the France defeat, with Ibrahim Mbaye’s goal showing the young Paris Saint-Germain forward is finding his footing at tournament level. Veterans Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gueye are expected to start again, with manager J. Koto likely to keep faith with his experienced core after Matchday 1 rather than making wholesale changes with qualification still mathematically alive.

Both squads are largely at full strength for this fixture, which means the result will come down to tactical execution rather than absentees. Norway’s depth across midfield gives Solbakken options if the game tightens in the second half, while Senegal’s attacking quality through Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, and Mane means they remain capable of hurting any opponent on the counter regardless of the scoreline.

Expected Lineups

Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Heggem, Ajer, Ostigard, Bjorkan; Berge, Thorstvedt, Odegaard (c); Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth

Senegal (4-3-3): E. Mendy; Jakobs, Koulibaly (c), Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane

Predicted XIs – squads to be confirmed before kickoff.

Key Matchup to Watch

The contest between Martin Odegaard and Idrissa Gueye will go a long way to deciding this match. Odegaard sits at the creative hub of Norway’s system, receiving the ball in half-spaces and threading passes that release Haaland and the wide forwards. Gueye, Senegal’s most-capped player with 130 appearances, is tasked with winning that midfield battle through intensity and positional discipline. If the 36-year-old can press Odegaard high and restrict his time on the ball, Senegal can keep the game competitive. If Odegaard operates freely, Norway’s attacking trio becomes almost impossible to contain.

Best Bets & Expert Picks

• Main Pick: Norway to Win – Best Price: +135 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel) – Norway are the form side in this group, unbeaten in competitive football heading into this fixture, and carry the most lethal finisher at this tournament. Their qualifying record of 8W 0D 0L with 37 goals scored is the evidence base for a team built to dominate; the +135 return on the outright win is the pick of the Norway vs Senegal odds.
• Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals – Best Price: -101 (BetOnline, Lucky Rebel) – Norway scored four times in their World Cup opener, while Senegal have conceded three in one competitive game and shipped goals freely in pre-tournament friendlies. Both attacks carry genuine quality, and with Senegal needing to chase the game if Norway score first, the conditions favor a higher-scoring evening.
• Scorer Market: Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer – Haaland has two goals already in this World Cup from one game, and his movement against the Iraq backline demonstrated how difficult he is to contain in space. With Norway likely to dominate possession, Haaland should get his opportunities against a Senegal defense that has already been breached three times in this tournament.
• Correct Score: Norway 2-1 Senegal – Norway’s defensive record suggests they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet against a Senegal attack featuring Mane and Sarr, but their overall superiority points to a comfortable enough winning margin. A 2-1 scoreline reflects both Norway’s likely control and Senegal’s capacity to get on the scoresheet even when behind.

Betting Odds & Lines

Here is a full breakdown of the Norway vs Senegal betting odds across all three operators, including match result and goals totals lines.

Outcome	BetOnline	Lucky Rebel	BetNow
Norway Win	+135	+135	+135
Draw	+250	+240	+240
Senegal Win	+195	+200	+200
Over 2.5 Goals	-101	-101	-105
Under 2.5 Goals	-115	-115	-115

How to Watch & Where to Bet

How to Watch

Norway vs Senegal is broadcast live in the United States on Fox Sports. The game kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on Monday, June 22, from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. International viewers can find the match on Fox and Telemundo in the US, ITV and BBC in the UK, TF1 and beIN Sports in France, and on Globo and SporTV in Brazil, among other broadcast partners across the globe.

How to Bet

To place a wager on the Norway vs Senegal picks listed above, follow these steps:

1. Choose one of the approved operators: BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
2. Navigate to the sportsbook’s website and create an account if you do not already have one.
3. Complete any required identity verification steps.
4. Deposit funds using your preferred payment method (all three operators accept crypto).
5. Search for “Norway vs Senegal” or navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section.
6. Select the markets you want – match result, Over 2.5 Goals, or scorer markets.
7. Enter your stake amount and review the potential return before confirming.
8. Submit your bet slip and keep the reference number for your records.

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