Venue: Ullevaal Stadion – Oslo, Norway
Kickoff Time: 8:45 PM CET (11:45 AM PDT for you in East Los Angeles)
Competition: FIFA International Friendly (Summer Window)
Weather & Pitch Conditions
Forecast: Partly cloudy
Temperature: ~19°C / 66°F
Wind: Light northerly breeze (6–10 mph)
Rain Probability: ~20%
Pitch Condition: Natural grass, expected firm with slight moisture
Impact:
Norway’s home pitch favors structured passing and disciplined defensive lines.
Ivory Coast’s pace-driven attack benefits from firm turf but may struggle if Norway slows tempo.
Team Overview & Recent Form
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
Record (Last 6): 4W – 1D – 1L
Recent Results:
W 2–1 vs Mali
W 3–0 vs DR Congo
D 1–1 vs Tunisia
L 0–2 vs Morocco
Form Summary: Ivory Coast enters in strong form, driven by a new generation of athletic midfielders and a stable defensive core. Their attack is explosive but occasionally inconsistent against disciplined European sides.
Norway
Record (Last 6): 3W – 2D – 1L
Recent Results:
W 2–0 vs Finland
D 1–1 vs Serbia
W 3–1 vs Georgia
L 0–1 vs Croatia
Form Summary: Norway’s form is steady, built around a compact defensive structure and efficient counterattacks. Their midfield lacks Ivory Coast’s athleticism but compensates with organization and tactical discipline.
Injury Report & Squad Notes
Ivory Coast
Wilfried Zaha – OUT (hamstring strain)
Seko Fofana – QUESTIONABLE (minor ankle issue)
Odilon Kossounou – FIT after precautionary rest
Squad Notes:
Expect a midfield anchored by Kessié, with Haller leading the line.
Wingers Diakité and Adingra provide pace and width.
Norway
Martin Ødegaard – FIT (returned from minor knee irritation)
Erling Haaland – FIT
Kristoffer Ajer – OUT (groin)
Squad Notes:
Norway will likely deploy a 4‑3‑3 with Ødegaard orchestrating play.
Haaland’s presence forces Ivory Coast to adjust defensive shape.
Key Player Matchups
Erling Haaland (NOR) vs. Odilon Kossounou (CIV)
Haaland’s physicality and movement challenge Ivory Coast’s back line.
Kossounou must avoid being isolated in transition.
Martin Ødegaard (NOR) vs. Franck Kessié (CIV)
Ødegaard’s creativity vs. Kessié’s ball‑winning ability.
Whoever controls this duel dictates tempo.
Simon Adingra (CIV) vs. Birger Meling (NOR)
Adingra’s pace and dribbling threaten Norway’s left flank.
Meling must avoid being caught too high up the pitch.
Sebastian Sørloth (NOR) vs. Eric Bailly (CIV)
Sørloth’s aerial presence is a major set‑piece threat.
Bailly’s aggression can be an asset or liability.
Series History
All‑Time Meetings: 2
Record: Ivory Coast 1W – Norway 1W
Last Meeting: Norway 2–1 Ivory Coast (2018 Friendly)
Trend:
Matches have been competitive, physical, and low‑scoring.
Norway tends to perform better at home; Ivory Coast struggles in colder climates.
Betting Trends
Norway at home (last 10): 7–2–1
Ivory Coast away (last 10): 4–3–3
Norway matches under 2.5 goals: 6 of last 8
Ivory Coast matches BTTS: 5 of last 7
Friendly matches between African & Nordic teams: Historically lower scoring due to pace‑control and climate adjustment.
MATCH ODDS
Ivory Coast + 255
Norway + 110
Draw + 245
Over 2.5 – 110 Under 2.5 – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, June 29, 2026
