Brazil v Norway prediction, lineups & betting tips: World Cup 2026 round of 16

Norway arrive at the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 having already surpassed every expectation placed on them in North America. Ståle Solbakken's side qualified from a group that included France, beating Senegal and Ivory Coast before losing heavily to Les Bleus, and they have now reached the last 16 of a World Cup for just the second time in their history, equalling their run from 1998. Standing in their way on Sunday is a Brazil side that has progressed from nine of their last ten round-of-16 ties at World Cups, with the only exception a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in 1990.

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil have been the team of the group stage. Three wins from four, nine goals scored, two conceded, and an average xG of 2.26 per game. They beat Haiti 3-0, Scotland 3-0 and then came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in their final group fixture, with Gabriel Martinelli netting in the 96th minute. The Selecao have kept clean sheets in two of those four outings and have not failed to score in any game at this tournament. With Vinicius Junior in the form of his life at the heart of their attack, Brazil have the firepower to hurt any team remaining in the draw.

Norway have been a different kind of spectacle. Erling Haaland has five goals in four games, including braces against Iraq and Senegal, and his physicality and movement give any defence something they cannot fully plan for. Solbakken's side concede goals, averaging two per game across the tournament, and their defeat to France showed what a team with genuine class can do to them. But they are dangerous, direct and alive in this competition.

Brazil's form over the tournament reads DWWW in reverse chronological order. Their away record in this competition is a single match, a 3-0 win over Scotland. Their xG against average stands at 0.72 per game, the tightest of any team left in the last 16. Norway, meanwhile, have produced BTTS in all four of their fixtures and have conceded in every game. Haaland has nine shots on target in 270 minutes, converting five of them. Martin Odegaard, back to something approaching his best after a difficult club season disrupted by injury, has chipped in with two goals and five assists across his last five Norway appearances.

Ancelotti, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, was asked specifically about a plan to stop Haaland. "There is no anti-Haaland plan," the Brazil head coach said. "My defenders know him well enough. They know what to do." He added that his team's focus was on their own quality rather than the Norwegian striker. Solbakken, for his part, urged his players not to be overwhelmed by the occasion. "We must play the match, not the circumstances," the Norway manager said ahead of the tie.

Ancelotti is expected to continue with the 4-3-3 that has served Brazil throughout the group stage. With Paqueta absent, Danilo Santos slots into the midfield three alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes. Vinicius Junior leads the attack, with Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha flanking him. The back four picks itself: Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Guilherme Arana in front of Ederson.

Solbakken will almost certainly line up in a 4-3-3 as well, having used that shape in three of four games. Haaland leads the line, with Odegaard operating just behind him. Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb are likely to start on the wings.

Brazil: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, G Magalhaes, Arana; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, D Santos; Rodrygo, Cunha, Vinicius Jr

Norway: Orjan Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Hanche-Olsen, Meling; Berge, Norgaard, Odegaard; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa

Brazil v Norway kicks off at 22:00 BST on Sunday 5 July 2026. In the UK, the match is broadcast live on ITV1 and streamed free via ITVX. Coverage begins at 21:00 BST.