Norway showed exactly why they are among the tournament's most dangerous sides with a crucial 2-1 win over Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, moving to the top of their group at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The victory is a commanding statement in a tournament featuring 48 nations for the first time in history, co-hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Three points from the opening fixture places Norway firmly in control of their own destiny, needing only consistent results to advance to the round of 16 alongside the best third-placed finishers.
This 3-goal contest featured some fine finishing, though scorer details are yet to be confirmed by official sources.
Norway edged the territorial battle, finishing with 53% possession against their opponent's 47%. The shot count read 14 to 9 — Ivory Coast showed greater menace in the final third but the numbers only tell part of the story.
Norway top their group with a maximum haul of three points from the opening fixture. For Ivory Coast, the recovery work begins immediately — there is plenty of football still to play in a format that gives every team a genuine chance to qualify. The 69,665 crowd inside AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas played their part throughout.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first with 48 nations — has been defined by its unpredictability. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, it offers football fans a spectacle unlike anything seen before, with matches spread across iconic venues on three continents.
