World Cup 2026: Brazil vs. Norway Predictions

Brazil vs. Norway Overview and Latest Odds

According to the latest World Cup odds, Brazil is the favorite to triumph in its second knockout game of the tournament, but it would be a mistake for anyone to underestimate Norway.

• Location: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA

• Date & Time: Sunday 5th July, 4:00 PM ET

• US Broadcast: FOX Sports

For readers in U.S. states where conventional sports betting is still unavailable, regulated prediction market sites and apps offer a legal alternative. These apps enable users to trade on event outcomes while benefiting from highly accurate, market-driven forecasts.

Expert Betting Predictions and Best Bets for Brazil vs. Norway

Below are our three top tips for Brazil vs. Norway, including two straight bets and one same game parlay.

• Brazil to win

Brazil has considerably more World Cup pedigree than Norway. It has lifted the trophy a record five times, while its opponent in this match has not made it beyond the round of 16 before. But this is a potential banana skin for Brazil, which must make a quicker start than it did against Morocco and Japan. Norway is dangerous going forward, but Brazil’s superior strength in depth will ultimately make the difference and send it through to the quarter-finals. Go for a Brazil victory over Norway in this intriguing World Cup tie.

• Erling Haaland to Score Anytime

Brazil has a population more than 40 times larger than that of Norway, yet the most prolific attacker on the field in New Jersey will be in the European nation’s line-up. Erling Haaland is a natural finisher who scores goals at a remarkable rate for club and country. He does not play for one of the outright favorites at this World Cup, yet Haaland has still scored five goals in just three appearances in North America. Back Haaland to find the back of the net once more, this time against the mighty Brazil.

• Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score

This promises to be one of the most entertaining encounters of the round of 16. There is no doubt that Brazil and Norway are both better offensively than defensively. Norway is yet to keep a clean sheet this tournament, but it has scored in every game - and all four of its matches have featured over 2.5 goals. Meanwhile, there have been at least three strikes in all but one of Brazil’s four outings. This one feels like a no-brainer given what we have seen up to now - choose over 2.5 goals and both teams to score.

Brazil Betting Preview

It has not been entirely plain sailing for Brazil at World Cup 2026 so far. Carlo Ancelotti’s side was the comfortable winner in 3-0 victories over both Haiti and Scotland, but it struggled against Morocco on matchday one and was also put through its paces by Japan in the round of 16. The Samurai Blue took the lead in the first half of its last-32 tie against Brazil, which equalized after the break and then scored the winning goal in stoppage time.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team has now fallen behind twice this summer, but on both occasions it came back to avoid defeat. Its strength in depth in the attacking part of the pitch is the envy of most other nations at this tournament, but there are ongoing question marks over the midfield and the defense. The aging Casemiro has looked particularly vulnerable in the engine room.

In every World Cup since its last triumph in 2002, Brazil has bowed out as soon as it has faced a European team in the knockout stage. Will things be different this time? If the pattern continues, there will be serious recriminations back home. Defeat at this stage is unthinkable for the five-time World Cup winner.

Norway Betting Preview

Norway is loving every minute of this World Cup, its first of the 21st century. It qualified in style, beating Italy at home and away on the way to top spot in its group, and it always intended to do more than merely make up the numbers at the tournament itself.

Norway won its first two group games, beating Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2 to qualify for the knockout stage with a match to spare. It heavily rotated its team for the subsequent meeting with France and was beaten 4-1, but Norway dusted itself down to beat a good Ivory Coast team 2-1 in the round of 32.

Norway has nothing to lose against Brazil, with all the pressure on the shoulders of its opponent. That potentially makes Stale Solbakken’s team dangerous. Brazil must not take anything for granted.

How Brazil and Norway Match Up Against Each Other

Of the 88 sides to have faced Brazil throughout its history, Norway is the only one which has never lost. In the pair’s four previous meetings, there have been two draws and two Norway wins. Most memorably, the Europeans beat Brazil 2-1 at World Cup 1998, although the Selecao went on to reach the final that summer.

With Lucas Paqueta injured, Brazil will pull Bruno Guimaraes closer to Casemiro in a bid to prevent the former Manchester United midfielder getting isolated. Endrick is the favorite to start up front, with Matheus Cunha set to operate in a slightly more withdrawn role. Brazil will dominate possession and look to pin Norway back in its own half of the field.

Norway will not mind playing in transition. It will look to move the ball upfield quickly, with Erling Haaland’s pace and power making him the obvious target for passes in behind the Brazil backline. Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, who has had some memorable tussles with Haaland at club level, will have to be alert throughout.

Norway is not a one-man team, but its defense will have its hands full against Brazil’s thrilling frontline. Whatever happens, this has the potential to be one of the games of the tournament.