England will be looking to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals when they face Norway on Saturday at 10pm (UK time).
The Three Lions have now reached the quarter-finals in the past three World Cups, after their group-stage exit in 2014. But they bowed out at this stage four years ago, so will be hoping to go one further this time around. England have won four of their five games at the World Cup so far, finishing top of their group with seven points from a possible nine. That set up a last-32 tie against DR Congo, with England needing a late comeback to advance. England then faced co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last-16, overcoming adversity to eventually win 3-2.
Norway are in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever, and will looking to continue their dream tournament. This was already a big moment for Norway, who ended a 28-year absence at the World Cup, in qualifying for 2026. They finished second in their group but had qualification secured after two games, losing the final match having rotated heavily. Norway still needed a late fight to beat Ivory Coast in the round-of-32, with Erling Haaland scoring the winner four minutes from time. Haaland was the hero in the last-16, too, scoring both goals as Norway knocked five-time champions Brazil out for a historic result.
This will be the 13th game between England and Norway, with the Three Lions winning seven so far. But it’s the first major tournament meeting, and a first game since 2014.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Norway vs England team news
England team news
Barring any intervention from King Charles or Keir Starmer, Jarell Quansah will miss this quarter-final clash. The defender started at right-back against Mexico but was sent off minutes into the second-half for bad challenge, following a VAR review. Quansah had replaced Djed Spence in the starting lineup, so this could be a straight swap again, with Reece James’ involvement still uncertain.
Thomas Tuchel should keep the rest of his defence the same, though there are a few suspension worries. Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi are both on yellow cards and will miss any potential semi-final if they’re booked against Norway. That’s unlikely to chage Tuchel’s team, with Ezri Konsa also in defence and Jordan Pickford in goal.
Jordan Henderson is expected to miss the rest of the World Cup after suffering a wrist injury celebrating England’s win over Mexico. The midfielder will need surgery on his wrist, having fallen while trying to jump over advertising hoardings after the game. That will make no difference to the starting lineup, though, with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson sure-starters. Rice is another Englishman at risk of suspension, as is Jude Bellingham who will start in the No.10.
Anthony Gordon impressed on the left-wing against Mexico and should keep his place, but Bukayo Saka may drop out for Noni Madueke. Harry Kane will lead the line.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Norway team news
Stale Solbakken is once again sweating over the fitness of David Moller Wolfe. The left-back had to come off late on in the win over Brazil having picked up a knock. Leo Ostigard replaced Wolfe and may start on the left, given Fredik Bjorkan’s struggles when given a start against France in the group stages. Julian Ryerson made a welcome return after injury last time out and should keep his spot on the right side of the defence.
Kristoffer Ajer and Torbjorn Heggem remain the first-choice centre-back partnership, with Orjan Nyland in goal. Solbakken moved his midfield around against Brazil, playing Martin Odegaard in a more advanced No.10 position. That could continue here, given the success and uncertainty surrounding England’s backline. Sander Berge was joined by Patrick Berg in the double pivot, with Fredrik Aursnes having to make do with a substitute role.
Andreas Schjelderup may hope for a start after his positive performance off the bench against Brazil. But he may have to make do with another substitute appearance, running better against tired legs. Antonio Nusa has scored four of Norway’s five games at left wing, with Alexander Sorloth on the right. Erling Haaland will, of course, spearhead the attack.
Norway vs England predicted lineups
Norway (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Ostigard; Berg, Berge; Sorloth, Odegaard, Nusa; Haaland.
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Read more: