Norway vs England World Cup 2026 preview, team news and prediction

View Image

Norway and England meet at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday night with a place in the semi-finals and the chance to keep alive hopes of ending Argentina’s World Cup crown on the line.

The bookies are pricing the Three Lions as the favourites on this one with William Hill pricing them at 17/20 while Norway are 3/1 with Sky Bet and a draw after 90 minutes is 11/4 with Paddy Power . You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers .

England came through a chaotic last-16 test against co-hosts Mexico, edging a 3-2 win despite finishing with 10 men. Norway were just as impressive, upsetting Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The Three Lions have had plenty to contend with in this tournament, from disruption around kickoff arrangements to ongoing selection issues, but Thomas Tuchel’s side have found a way. Jude Bellingham’s brace, Harry Kane’s penalty composure and a resolute display across the pitch ensured England progressed, even after a draining high-altitude assignment that has already spawned a new quip: altitude is for planes.

At the Azteca, England produced an unfamiliar performance in possession terms, recording a World Cup-record low 33.2% of the ball, yet made it count with sharp counter-attacks and disciplined defending.

They travel to Florida on a three-game winning run, scoring at least twice in each, and have won six of their last seven matches overall which is the only blemish a goalless draw with Ghana. Still, England’s recent World Cup record against European opposition is a concern, with five of their last six knockout eliminations coming against teams from the continent, including each of the last three.

Norway, meanwhile, have looked increasingly dangerous after their only defeat of the tournament — a 4-1 loss to France with a second-string XI in their lone previous all-European fixture. Since then, they have brushed aside opponents from Africa and South America, the standout being their win over Brazil.

Erling Haaland was central again, scoring with a header before calmly finishing into the corner, and Norway held firm after a 100th-minute Neymar penalty proved too late to spark a comeback. The result also preserved Norway’s remarkable record of never losing to Brazil in senior men’s football.

Stale Solbakken’s side operate primarily in a 4-3-3 that can flip into a 4-2-3-1, built to accommodate Haaland and Alexander Sorloth together. Sander Berge provides the engine in midfield, while Martin Odegaard links play and supplies creativity in the final third. Norway have been entertaining as well as effective, scoring 12 and conceding nine across their five matches which is a profile rarely seen in teams that go deep at the World Cup.

History, though, leans heavily England’s way. Norway have never beaten a European opponent at the World Cup and have failed to score in their last four meetings with England, who lead the overall head-to-head 7-2. The sides have not met since 2014, when a Wayne Rooney penalty sealed a 1-0 England win in a friendly and with so little between these teams, spot-kicks would be a fitting way to decide who faces Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

No Jarell Quansah means England will have to look towards Ezri Konsa in a makeshift right-back role.

Jordan Henderson is out for the rest of the World Cup after wrist surgery following a collision with the advertising boards, while Marc Guehi and Declan Rice are expected to be fit despite doing individual work in training.

Norway have no major concerns: David Moller Wolfe has returned to full training. Stale Solbakken has choices to make, with Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup pushing for starts after setting up both goals against Brazil. Erling Haaland, on seven goals, is converting 39% of his World Cup shots - the best rate for a player with 15+ attempts since Gary Lineker in 1986.

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.