Five-time champions Brazil will face Norway in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The team is eyeing the sixth title. Japan’s ambassador has also supported Brazil. However, Norway has an unbeaten record against Brazil.
Five-time champions Brazil will take on Norway in a round of 16 tie at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday (local time) to continue their campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will look to move one step closer to a record sixth world title.
Ahead of this knockout tie, Japan’s Ambassador to Brazil Noguchi Yasushi expressed his support for the Seleção in a post on Twitter following Brazil’s thrilling victory over Japan in the previous round. He wrote, “Today, we will join our Brazilian friends to cheer them on to make it to the quarterfinals. Let’s go, Brazil! Let’s win our sixth title!”
Brazil made the last 16 after topping Group C on goal difference with seven points, and then endured a tough test against Japan in the round of 32. The South American giants came from behind to win 2-1, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a brilliant stoppage-time goal to keep their title hopes alive.
Team News and Starting Lineup
Ancelotti has retained Martinelli in the starting eleven after his impressive performance against Japan, while the 19-year-old remains in attack alongside Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha. Raphinha and Neymar, who are recovering from injuries, have been kept on the bench.
Brazil’s starting lineup includes goalkeeper Alisson, in defence, Danilo, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos and Douglas Santos. Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães will man the midfield behind Martinelli, while Matheus Cunha, Ryan and Vinicius Junior will lead the attack.
At the same time, Julian Ryerson has returned to the Norway team, who could not play in the round of 32 victory against Ivory Coast. Captain Martin Odegaard will man the midfield, while Erling Haaland will lead the Scandinavian attack alongside Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nussa.
Head-to-head and current form
Although Brazil have won nine of their last 10 World Cup round of 16 matches, they will be wary of their recent struggles against European teams, as they have lost their last six post-group stage World Cup matches against teams from Europe.
Norway enter the match with increased confidence after registering the country’s first World Cup knockout win by defeating Ivory Coast 2-1. Ståle Solbakken’s side have won 15 of their last 20 matches and also hold the historical advantage against Brazil, having been unbeaten in all four previous meetings between the two teams, including a famous 2–1 win at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
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