Brazil face Norway’s historic hex in World Cup round of 16

Five-time champions Brazil will face Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a quarterfinal berth at stake. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.usatoday+2

Both teams advanced through dramatic late winners in the Round of 32. Brazil needed a 95th-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli to edge Japan 2-1, while Erling Haaland struck in the 86th minute to give Norway a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast — the country's first-ever World Cup knockout stage win.espn+2

A Historic Head-to-Head Favoring the Underdogs

Norway enters Sunday's match with a remarkable distinction: they have never lost to Brazil in four previous meetings, recording two wins and two draws. The most memorable encounter came at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 in the group stage. Reuters reported that Brazil "run into opponents who stubbornly refuse to join the pile" of nations they have beaten at World Cups.reuters+3

Despite that history, oddsmakers heavily favor Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil. DraftKings lists Brazil at -220 to advance, with Norway at +175. Haaland himself acknowledged his team's challenge after the Ivory Coast win, telling reporters their chances of eliminating Brazil were "very slim".foxsports+1

Star Power on Both Sides

The match pits two of the world's most electric attackers against each other. Vinicius Junior has been central to Brazil's campaign, scoring in the group stage win over Scotland that secured first place. For Norway, Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard anchor an attack that has exceeded expectations throughout the tournament.squawka+2

Brazil's path to this point also featured a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the group stage at the same MetLife Stadium venue, meaning Ancelotti's squad is familiar with the playing surface.sports.yahoo+1

How to Watch

The match will air on Fox and Telemundo in the United States, with streaming available on the Fox Sports app and Peacock Comcast Corporation ↘ 0.60%. In the UK, coverage will be on ITV1. The winner will face either Mexico or England, who play later Sunday, in the quarterfinals.aljazeera+4