Brazil vs Norway: A World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Clash in New Jersey

Twenty-eight years after their only previous World Cup meeting, Brazil and Norway are set to face off again — this time for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 tournament. The match kicks off Sunday, July 5, at 11:00 PM local time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with American referee Ismail Elfath in charge. Brazil have never beaten Norway in four previous encounters. The most famous came in 1998 in Marseille, when Norway came from behind to win 2-1 — though Brazil had already secured top spot in the group. A 2006 friendly ended 1-1. That record adds extra weight for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who may have faced intense scrutiny had they not turned things around against Japan in Houston. The Samurai Blue took the lead in the 30th minute, but Ancelotti abandoned caution at halftime, switching to a 4-2-4 after introducing Endrick. The gamble paid off: Casemiro equalized with a header, and Gabriel Martinelli broke Japanese hearts with a stoppage-time winner in the fifth minute of added time. Since their 2002 triumph, Brazil have endured World Cup heartbreak — two quarterfinal exits, a fourth-place finish at home in 2014, followed by two more quarterfinal losses. Ancelotti is desperate to avoid a round-of-16 elimination for the first time since 1990, when Argentina knocked them out at this stage. Norway, meanwhile, still cherish that 1998 upset. Only 35-year-old goalkeeper Orjan Nyland from the current squad was alive to see it. Stale Solbakken’s men cruised through the group stage, losing only to France (4-1) with a rotated side. In the round of 16, they edged Ivory Coast 2-1: Antonio Nusa opened the scoring, Amad Diallo equalized, and Erling Haaland snatched victory four minutes from time. Brazil are the obvious favorites, but the Vikings have already shown they can spring surprises. With Haaland leading the line, Norway believe they can produce another historic result.