Norway beat Ivory Coast, Brazil await in the round of 16

Brazil on Sunday, and Norway are ready

Your team is through to the World Cup round of 16 after a 1–2 win over Ivory Coast (1). Haaland, Ødegaard, Berge, and Sørloth got it done. The reward: Brazil. Sunday. "It's us against the world," mental coach Martin Langagergaard said (1). That is the mood now. Norway in the knockout stage for the first time in 28 years.

That France match

The group stage had one bruise, a 1–4 loss to France (2). It was not close. But the bigger picture holds: your team still advanced. The campaign was strong enough to absorb that result and move on. France are France. Sunday is what matters now.

38°C in New York, and the team doctor is worried

The heat is real. Norway trained in 38-degree conditions in New York ahead of Sunday's match, and national team doctor Ola Sand did not hold back: "Det är livsfarligt", it is life-threatening (3). That is the kind of environment awaiting your team. Preparation will be shaped by it.

Solbakken beat Brazil before

The manager has been here. In 1998, Ståle Solbakken helped Norway beat Brazil at the World Cup (5). He was on the pitch then. He is on the sideline now. That memory is a real asset heading into Sunday.

Referee set: Ismail Elfath gets the whistle

American referee Ismail Elfath will officiate Norway–Brazil on Sunday (8). No drama in the appointment, just a name to know before kickoff.

No schedule change, FIFA says Sunday stands

There was talk of moving the match. A FIFA meeting put that to rest (6) (8) (12). The game stays where it is. No delay, no rescheduling.

Brazil's lineup questions: Paquetá out, Raphinha back, Neymar ready

Brazil have their own puzzles. Danilo Santos may replace Lucas Paquetá in midfield (4). Raphinha returned to training after a thigh injury and could face your team (10). And Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar is ready for 90 minutes (9). If Neymar plays the full match, the task gets harder.

Haaland laughed at the Vini Jr meme

A video has been circulating, a meme pairing Haaland and Vinícius Júnior. Haaland's response: "I really liked the video, it's funny, I was included as a blonde girl there, I laughed a lot, it was super funny" (7). Light moment before a heavy match.

A Bundesliga veteran warns about Norway

A former Bundesliga player has publicly warned that Brazil should not sleep on Norway, specifically on Haaland (9). Respect from the other side. The world is paying attention now.

Fan reactions

FIFA backed away from changing the kickoff time for Norway–Brazil, and on r/soccer the mood is relief, fans see it as one less disruption ahead of Sunday. The focus stays on the pitch, where it belongs. Read the discussion.