Haaland set to return as Ivory Coast and Norway meet for a place against Brazil

What happened

Norway are expected to bring Erling Haaland back into their starting line-up for the World Cup round-of-32 tie against Ivory Coast in Arlington on June 30, after resting the striker in their final group game. According to ESPN, the knockout meeting carries a clear prize: the winner advances to the round of 16 to face Brazil.

The fixture is one of three on the day, kicking off at 1 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium, and pits two sides that both finished as group runners-up.

Why it matters

Haaland's return is the headline, the forward having been left out as Norway, already qualified, lost 4-1 to France in their final group match. He scored four group-stage goals before that rest, per ESPN, and Norway will lean on him to break down an Ivory Coast side their coach Ståle Solbakken has flagged as physically imposing, according to Flashscore.

A place in the last 16, and a meeting with the five-time champions, gives the tie added weight for two teams without deep recent knockout pedigree at this level.

Context

Norway reached the knockout stage having topped few expectations before the tournament, with Haaland's goals central to their progress and his fitness carefully managed across the group. Ivory Coast advanced from a group won by Germany, and arrive as a side built on athleticism and counter-attacking threat.

The matchup also features a notable individual subplot, with RB Leipzig pair Yan Diomandé and Antonio Nusa lining up on opposite sides, per the clubs' coverage.

What to watch next

The immediate focus is whether Haaland, restored to the XI, can convert Norway's chances against a resilient Ivory Coast defence, and how Solbakken's side handle the physical battle he has warned about. The reward is significant: the winner steps up to face Brazil, who survived a scare against Japan, in the round of 16. Team selection at kick-off will confirm how both coaches balance freshness against their strongest available sides.