Pre-match commentary
Norway will face England at 4:00 AM on July 12 (Vietnam time) in the quarter-final match considered the most evenly matched in the 2026 World Cup. The Northern European representative is becoming a phenomenon of the tournament, while the "Three Lions" aim to return to the semi-finals after a challenging journey.
Norway is one of the teams that has created the most surprises since the beginning of the tournament. Coach Stale Solbakken's team passed the group stage with victories against Iraq and Senegal, only losing to the French team in the last match.
Entering the knockout round, Norway continued to impress when they successively eliminated Ivory Coast and then created an earthquake with a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the round of 16. That is not a result of luck but a worthy reward for their fast, disciplined play and ability to take advantage of opportunities very effectively.
Norway's strength is still focused on Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker is always a threat to every defense thanks to his superior positioning, finishing and tackling ability. In addition, Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa bring creativity and speed, helping the North European team maintain pressure for most of the match time.
On the opposite side, England also showed the bravery of a championship contender even though they did not have many truly convincing wins. Coach Thomas Tuchel's team topped the group after defeating Croatia and Panama, interspersed with a draw against Ghana.
In the knockout round, the "Three Lions" defeated the DRC before defeating Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16. This victory shows the quality of England's attack, and also reflects the progress in fighting spirit under Thomas Tuchel as the team knows how to overcome difficult times.
Despite possessing a more balanced force than Norway, England still reveals gaps in defense, especially in defensive situations changing state. This may be the point that Haaland and his teammates exploit.
A noteworthy detail is that many Norwegian players are playing in the Premier League, so they understand English players very well. This may help the Northern European representative come up with a suitable approach to the opponent who is considered to be slightly better in squad depth.
According to assessments, England is still ranked above thanks to experience and personnel quality. However, with the current form and the sharpness of Haaland in attack, Norway is fully capable of creating another surprise to participate in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.
Force information
England does not have the service of Jarell Quansah due to suspension. Meanwhile, Norway has the strongest force.
The Norway vs England quarter-final match of the 2026 World Cup will take place at 4:00 AM on July 12 (Vietnam time).
Expected lineup
Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
