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World Cup: Who will win between Brazil 🇧🇷 vs Norway 🇳🇴? Our Prediction

When Brazil 🇧🇷 and Norway 🇳🇴 clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 5, it will be more than just another World Cup round of 16 match. For Brazil, it is a chance to finally overcome one of the most unusual records in international football: they have never beaten Norway in four previous meetings.

Brazil's Unbeaten Curse Against Norway

Brazil have failed to defeat Norway in four previous encounters, with Norway holding the head-to-head superiority with two wins and two draws. The most high-profile meeting happened at Stade Velodrome just over 28 years ago, when the South American heavyweights surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose late on in the 1998 World Cup.

Since their first meeting in 1988, the two teams have played four matches, with two Norwegian wins and two draws. Norway is one of only three national teams with a winning record against Brazil, and the only team to never have lost against them, with two wins and two draws in four matches, including a 1998 World Cup group stage match. That historical hoodoo will give Norway belief going into this knockout tie.

Brazil's World Cup 2026 Campaign So Far

The CBF appointed Carlo Ancelotti as manager, and Ancelotti replaced him as Brazil's first permanent foreign manager last year. Carlo Ancelotti has announced the Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with superstar Neymar making the cut, despite concerns about the veteran's fitness after years of injury struggles.

Brazil drew their first fixture against Morocco but coasted through their last two matches, beating both Haiti and Scotland 3-0. They followed that by winning 2-1 against Japan in the World Cup 2026 round of 32. Brazil have been in excellent form recently, winning 4 of their last 5 matches (80% win rate) and scoring 11 goals while conceding 3 during this period.

Brazil are the only team to have played in every World Cup and are also the tournament's most decorated side with five titles, but they have now gone a full 24 years without lifting the trophy.

Norway's Return to the Global Stage

On 16 November 2025, Norway secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament, winning all eight of its qualifying matches and finishing first in its group. Erling Haaland emerged as the leading scorer across all qualifiers with 16 goals.

At the tournament itself, Norway opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Iraq, highlighted by two goals from Haaland, who became the first Norwegian player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. Ståle Solbakken's side, led by captain Martin Ødegaard, finished Group I runners-up behind France to reach the knockout phase.

Norway have recorded 4 wins and 1 draw from their last six matches, though a 1-4 defeat to France on 26 June highlighted defensive frailties, as they have conceded 10 goals in six games without keeping a single clean sheet.

Key Players to Watch

For Brazil, the spotlight falls on Vinicius Jr and Neymar. Vinícius Júnior has been the standout performer for Brazil with a rating of 8.17 and leads Brazil's scoring with 4 goals this season. The Real Madrid forward is probably Brazil's most potent attacking weapon with his pace, trickery and goal threat.

For Norway, Erling Haaland is the obvious danger man. With a stunning 16-goal haul in qualifying, Erling Haaland is the face of Norway's 26-man World Cup squad in his first major finals. He has already scored five goals in the tournament, making him one of the deadliest strikers at this World Cup.

Our Prediction: Brazil 🇧🇷 to Win

Despite the unfavourable head-to-head record, we predict Brazil will finally break their duck against Norway and advance to the quarter-finals. Here's why:

Brazil's form has been impressive, with a dominant 80 percent win rate in their last five matches. Defensively, they have been solid, conceding an average of 0.6 goals per game, while Norway have struggled at the back, conceding 10 goals in their last six matches without a clean sheet.

While one of the least fancied Brazilian World Cup sides of all time, Ancelotti's squad is still loaded with talent. The Italian manager brings vast experience from five Champions League titles and knows how to navigate knockout football. He has a track record of managing egos and building winning, pragmatic sides that tend to be tactically astute while also infused with belief.

Norway's lack of defensive solidity could be exposed by Brazil's attacking firepower. While Haaland is a world-class striker, Brazil have the quality across the pitch to limit his service and create chances at the other end. Expect Vinicius Jr to use his pace and dribbling to stretch Norway's backline.

Carlo Ancelotti's side must overcome this historical hoodoo if they are to avoid their earliest exit on the global stage since 1990. We believe they have the quality, experience, and momentum to do exactly that. Brazil to win in regular time or after extra time.

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