Predicted line-up, stats and where to watch as the five-time winners try to stop Haaland
Matheus Cunha doesn’t care about Brazil’s World Cup history – he just wants to shine at the 2026 tournament.
Brazil will face Norway in the round of 16 on Sunday knowing that victory will take them closer to winning a sixth world title.
And although this is not an old Selecao team compared to previous iterations, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have reached the weakest part of the draw and are in good shape to reach at least the last four.
First, however, is Norway and Cunha is fully focused on the task at hand.
He said: “We want to build our history and mark the hearts of Brazilians in the same way that previous generations have marked ours. We want to achieve good goals, but above all, we want to make Brazilians proud.
“If we are going to mark this generation, let it be by winning another star, they are like that [previous generations] they could not die.”
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to make a change in midfield with Lucas Paqueta sidelined with a hamstring problem and Cunha admits Brazil will miss the former West Ham man.
Asked about his thoughts on how Brazil will be affected, he said: “Depending on the coach’s plan, we grow in confidence with the harmony and continuity we have. It gives us a lot of confidence to repeat the same things, which shows us that it works.”
“We will miss Paquetá, because we were still building a harmonious way. It depends on what the coach wants from the team. I don’t want to be responsible for being a coach right now.”
Norway will be underdogs in New Jersey but the presence of goal machine Erling Haaland gives them a chance.
Haaland has five goals so far, including a late winner in the round of 32 win over Ivory Coast.
The Manchester City striker will resume his battle with Arsenal midfielder Gabriel on Sunday in an intriguing little episode that could go a long way in deciding the outcome.
Brazil v Norway team news
Danilo Santos will replace Paqueta in midfield. Raphinha has returned to training but the Barcelona defender will have to settle on the bench and Rayan will keep his place on the right side of the attack. Casemiro is an excellent host.
Norwegian defender Julian Ryerson is getting closer to full fitness but he won’t take any chances this time around.
Brazil v Norway predicted lineup
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo Santos; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Jr.
Norway: Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Sorloth, Nusa, Haaland
Where to watch Brazil v Norway: TV and online streaming
Brazil v Norway kicks off on Sunday night at 9pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and broadcast on ITVX.
Brazil v Norway statistics
- Their last meeting at the World Cup was in 1998 when Norway won 2-1 in Marseille
- Erling Haaland has scored 50% of Norway’s goals at the 2026 World Cup
- Brazil became the first European team to play in the knockout stages of every World Cup since 2002
Brazil v Norway prediction
Brazil have struggled against European opposition in recent World Cups and we are seeing this trend continue. Norway will have a lot of energy in midfield, although Brazil will still be dangerous going forward.
It all points towards the points draw and penalty lottery.
Prediction: Brazil 1-1 Norway
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