Preview Pantai Gading vs Norway: Les Elephants Carry Out a Mission to Print History

Ivory Coast's star striker at the 2026 World Cup, Nicolas Pepe (left). (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)

JAKARTA - Gading Beach carries a mission to make history when facing Norway in the 2026 World Cup 32-team round at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Dallas, Wednesday morning WIB,

Gading Beach for the first time broke into the World Cup knockout stage after finishing second in Group E behind Germany. However, their steps are now blocked by Norway who come with a big threat from Erling Haaland.

"They are a good team, organized, have great individual players, but they also play well as a unit," said Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae, quoted by Reuters, Tuesday.

Fae also said Norway is a pragmatic team and does not need many opportunities to punish opponents.

Pantai Gading lolos ke fase gugur setelah mengalahkan Curacao 2-0 pada pertandingan terakhir Grup E. Nicolas Pepe menjadi penentu kemenangan melalui dua gol yang mengantar Les Elephants mencatat pencapaian terbaik mereka di Piala Dunia.

The victory was also a signal that Ivory Coast is not only based on physical strength. They have speed and variety of attacks through Yan Diomande, while Pepe is back to find an important momentum after scoring two goals against Curacao.

However, Pantai Gading did not come down with full strength. Defender Wilfried Singo is confirmed to be absent due to a hamstring injury, but Fae got positive news because Evan Ndicka was available after missing the group stage.

The sharpness of the Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland, will be tested by the Ivory Coast defense. (Sky Sports)

Meanwhile, Norway entered the knockout phase with high confidence after returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Stale Solbakken's team won the first two matches of the group stage before losing 1-4 to France in the last match.

The defeat to France does not fully reflect Norway's main strength as Solbakken made a big rotation to freshen up his squad ahead of the knockout phase. Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard were among the players who were prepared for the Ivory Coast match.

Haaland has been the center of attention after scoring four goals from two appearances in this tournament. The Manchester City striker scored two goals when Norway beat Iraq and again scored two goals when Norway defeated Senegal 3-2.

Fae acknowledged Haaland as a player who can turn the game around from any situation.

"He can score goals in any opportunity, in any way imaginable," Fae said.

Norway also has Odegaard as the game organizer in the midfield. The Arsenal midfielder is an important figure in connecting Norway's game transition from midfield to the front line.

However, Norway also lost one important player after defender Julian Ryerson was confirmed to be out due to a thigh injury he suffered against Senegal.

Solbakken assessed that the match against Ivory Coast would be a tough physical test. He called the African representative one of the most physically strong teams in this tournament.

"We have to match their physical strength. They are a very physical and very strong team," Solbakken said.

Solbakken expects the match to be tight as both teams have different strengths.

Norway relies on Haaland's sharpness and Odegaard's creativity, while Ivory Coast brings the strength of the duel, the speed of the attack, and the historical momentum after qualifying for the knockout phase for the first time.

This match has the potential to be determined by the ability of the Ivory Coast to limit the supply of the ball to Haaland. If they are able to break the flow of the Norwegian game from the midfield, the opportunity to counterattack through Diomande and Pepe will open.

On the other hand, Norway does not need full dominance to create danger. With Haaland in the penalty box, every second ball, cross, and small gap in the Ivory Coast back line can turn into a goal opportunity.

The winner of this match will face Brazil in the last 16 after the Selecao knocked out Japan 2-1 in the last 32.

The estimated line-up:

Gading Beach (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Ousmane Diomande, Odilon Kossounou, Ghislain Konan, Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie, Christ Inao Oulai, Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pepe, Yan Diomande.

Norway (4-3-3): Orjan Nyland, Marcus Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe, Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa.