- Brazil have won seven of their last ten games across all competitions (Drawn two, lost one).
- Norway have won six of their last ten across all competitions (drawn two, lost two).
- Brazil have won their last three games while Norway have won three of their last five.
Sweeper and Striker clash at New York/New Jersey Stadium
These two teams may not be the most entertaining to watch, but they should provide an intriguing matchup in the first knock-out round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti has Brazil playing in a single, compact unit, controlling possession first and foremost, but with the ability to unlock a team with vertical passes and overloads.
Philippe Clement's Norway, on the other hand, have been playing a much more direct and front-foot style of football with quick transitions at their heart. But it's Antonio Nusa who has been Norway's danger man in the knockout stage so far, scoring one goal in one appearance.
Brazil favourites to edge it
Brazil come into the game as favourites at 1.91, and rightfully so, but Norway look too big at 4.15, with the draw priced at 3.5. That's the way the markets are leaning, too, with Under 2.5 goals at 1.75 and Both Teams to Score at 1.87 also looking live.
Brazil have been very solid on their recent away trip, beating Scotland 3-0 and then Japan 2-1, so Ancelotti's team have shown the ability to control games and to be ruthless when they need to be. Norway's two recent results - a 4-1 defeat to France and 2-1 win away at Ivory Coast - show that they can play a similar style, but that can sometimes be a boom-or-bust way of approaching a game.
Ancelotti's Brazil to control a close encounter
A win for Brazil, which is priced at 1.91, looks about the most likely result of this game, as it should be a close, tactical battle. Brazil have the quality to edge it and will be desperate to do so, but Norway could land a blow on the counter, having scored 12 away goals in five games across all competitions.
Casemiro is Brazil's current danger man in the knockout stage, scoring one in one, and giving Brazil a puncher's chance to knock out Norway.
