Norway and Senegal have named identical starting lineups to their opening matches for Monday’s crucial FIFA World Cup Group I fixture at New York New Jersey Stadium. The teamsheets confirm Ståle Solbakken and Pape Thiaw are backing the same players who produced contrasting results in their first outings, with the Scandinavians seeking to build momentum while the West Africans look to recover from an opening defeat.
Norway began their first World Cup campaign in nearly three decades with a victory over Iraq, where Erling Haaland marked his tournament debut with two goals. That result placed them in a strong position within the group. Senegal, by contrast, suffered a loss to France in their opener despite a promising first-half performance, leaving them in need of points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Confirmed lineups
Julian Ryerson and Antonio Nusa retain their places in Norway’s starting eleven, with the Borussia Dortmund defender and RB Leipzig winger both involved in the victory over Iraq. Ståle Solbakken also keeps faith with Alexander Sorloth in attack alongside Haaland, while Ørjan Nyland continues in goal behind a defence that includes Ryerson. Martin Ødegaard wears the captain’s armband in midfield.
Senegal’s attacking partnership of Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson remains intact as the West Africans seek their first points of the tournament. Both forwards started against France and will again lead the line, with Pape Thiaw resisting changes despite the opening loss. Kalidou Koulibaly captains the side from central defence, while Bayern Munich midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye must settle for a place among the substitutes.
Tournament context
The fixture carries additional significance as part of Africa’s largest-ever World Cup contingent. The Confederation of African Football secured ten slots for the expanded 48-team format, doubling the five places available in Qatar 2022. Nine teams qualified automatically through the continental process, with DR Congo having claimed the final berth by overcoming Jamaica in March’s interconfederational playoff.
This increased representation raises the stakes for Senegal, who know that another defeat would leave them facing a difficult path to the knockout stages. Norway, sitting on three points, have the opportunity to take a commanding position in Group I with a second consecutive victory.