Norway and Sweden meet on Tuesday, June 1, in a World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. Brasília time. The match is scheduled for exclusive broadcast on Sportv.
Norway arrives with a strong recent record in the World Cup qualifying campaign. The hosts finished top of Group I ahead of Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova, winning all eight of their qualifying matches. During that run, Norway scored 37 goals and conceded only five, underlining both its attacking power and defensive stability. In its two most recent friendlies, however, the team drew 0-0 with Switzerland and lost 2-1 to the Netherlands, showing that adjustments are still needed before the tournament.
The Norwegian squad will compete in Group I at the 2026 World Cup, alongside France, Senegal and Iraq. The friendly against Sweden offers coach Ståle Solbakken a chance to test his lineup and fine-tune tactics against a Nordic rival with a different competitive path to the finals.
Sweden, meanwhile, secured its World Cup place through the playoff route. Although the team finished last in Group B of qualifying without a win in six matches, it earned a playoff berth by winning Group C of the UEFA Nations League. Sweden then defeated Poland and Ukraine in the playoff stage to book its ticket to the World Cup. At the tournament, the Swedish team will be in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
The match is also an opportunity for both sides to evaluate players and build momentum ahead of the World Cup. Norway is expected to field a front line featuring Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, supported by a midfield that includes Berge, Thorstvedt and Thorsby. Sweden’s likely lineup includes Victor Lindelöf in defense and attacking options such as Anthony Elanga, Nygren and Bernhardsson.
Odds published ahead of the match suggest Norway is favored to win. Bookmakers listed the home side as the most likely result, with Sweden seen as the underdog and a draw considered less probable than a Norwegian victory.
Because this is a friendly rather than a competitive fixture, the focus is less on the final score and more on preparation, rhythm and tactical clarity. Still, the meeting between Norway and Sweden carries added significance because both teams have already secured World Cup qualification and are now entering the final phase of their buildup to the 2026 tournament.
