The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing at the Meadowlands, as the region hosts a round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway on Sunday, July 5, at 4 p.m. The matchup features some of the sport’s top players, though only one team will be able to book their spot in the quarterfinals.
Brazil
As the winningest nation in FIFA World Cup history, winning the tournament five times, Brazil’s expectations are always high and this year is no different. After recording two wins and a draw in the group stages, Brazil secured their spot in the knockout stages, where their opponent was Japan.
Brazil was highly favored to beat Japan, though, any outcome was possible with two elite teams facing one another. Japan got off to a 1-0 lead and held onto it heading into halftime. However, it didn’t take Brazil long in the second half to respond, as Casemiro scored an equalizer in the 56th minute.
It wasn’t until stoppage time approached that Brazil took its first lead, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 96th minute to secure a 2-1 win for Brazil. The win sent Brazil to the round of 16, a position that the team is very familiar with, having advanced that far in every single FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930. Brazil is the only nation to qualify for every FIFA World Cup, cementing their legacy in the tournament’s record books.
However, despite the all-time success, Brazil has not lived up to expectations in recent years, winning their last FIFA World Cup in 2002. Last time Brazil came to the United States for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the team walked away as champions and will hope to repeat that outcome. With stars including Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, as well as veterans such as Neymar, the team has the talent to make a run in the tournament.
Norway
In a stark contrast from Brazil’s lengthy history at the FIFA World Cup, Norway has only participated in the tournament four times. Before this year, the team most recently played in
1998, reaching the round of 16, which is the furthest that the nation has ever gone in the tournament.
This year, Norway shined in the group stages, recording two wins, one of which came in the Meadowlands during a 3-2 victory over Senegal. Norway’s biggest star is their all-time leading goalscorer, Erling Haaland, who has already scored five goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Heading into their matchup against Brazil, Norway will look to advance to the quarterfinals in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. A win this Sunday would be historic for their team and aid Haaland on his journey for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
History of Brazil vs. Norway
Despite Brazil being the more storied team, Norway has historically played exceptionally against them. In four meetings, Norway has never lost to Brazil, winning two games, with the other two ending in a draw. Their most recent appearance came in 2006 during an international friendly match which ended in a 1-1 draw.
At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which saw Brazil finish as runners-up and was Norway’s last appearance in the tournament, the two teams faced off in the group stages. It was Norway that emerged victorious, recording a 2-1 win.
As the two teams head to the Meadowlands this Sunday, it is anyone’s game to win. While their previous meetings would show that Norway has the edge, Brazil’s iconic legacy in this tournament and current talents makes it hard for them to be considered an underdog. Regardless of the outcome, the Meadowlands is in store for an entertaining match featuring some of the world’s biggest stars.
