Norway v England prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 quarter-final

Norway have never beaten England in a FIFA World Cup game. That is the historical footnote Erling Haaland and his teammates are desperate to rewrite when the two sides meet at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final. Norway are appearing in a World Cup last eight for the first time in the country's history, a fact that has not been lost on the man leading their attack. "Playing Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians," Haaland told reporters ahead of the match. "To win against Brazil and to go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special."

Haaland has been the story of Norway's campaign, scoring seven goals in four appearances to sit among the tournament's leading scorers. He was born in Leeds, counts several England players as Manchester City club-mates, and knows this fixture intimately. "I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads," he told the media with a grin on Thursday, adding that England are "one of the clear favourites" to lift the trophy. It was a masterclass in deflection, but the numbers behind Norway's run are real enough. They beat Brazil 2-1 in the last 16 and have averaged 2.4 goals per game across their last five fixtures in all competitions.

England arrive in Miami having survived a serious scare. Thomas Tuchel's side beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in the last 16, but it came at a price: Jarell Quansah was sent off in the second half for a reckless challenge, and captain Jordan Henderson suffered a serious wrist injury during the post-match celebrations and will play no further part in the tournament. Tuchel said the victory was "the full package of an experience" but has been clear that he wants his players to step up. "In general, when you reach a quarter-final of a World Cup you need to be brave," the England head coach told journalists on Friday.

Norway have settled on a 4-3-3 for three of their four fixtures at the tournament, with Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield and Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth flanking Haaland in attack. Stale Solbakken's side pressed aggressively to unsettle Brazil in the last 16. England have lined up in a 4-2-3-1 in three of their four matches. Without Quansah, Tuchel is likely to shift John Stones into the back four with Konsa alongside him, and shuffle his midfield accordingly. Jude Bellingham is the creative anchor in behind Harry Kane.

Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Ostergard, Bjorkan; Berg, Berge, Odegaard; Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth

England: Pickford; Spence, Stones, Konsa, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Norway v England kicks off at 22:00 BST on Saturday 11 July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The match is live in the UK on ITV One and ITVX, with BBC Radio 5 Live also carrying commentary.