Here’s what you need to know for Day 20 of the World Cup.
Ivory Coast vs. Norway
Tuesday, June 30 | 1 p.m. ET | Dallas | TV: Fox
Odds: Ivory Coast +140, Norway -172
Norway has all the makings of a Cinderella run, and it starts with one of the tournament’s biggest stars. Erling Haaland is expected to return to the starting lineup after resting in the group stage finale, reuniting with captain Martin Ødegaard as Norway chases its first World Cup knockout victory. The Norwegians have been one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams, with all three group matches featuring at least five total goals.
Ivory Coast, however, won’t make it easy. The Elephants advanced behind a disciplined defense anchored by Yan Diomande and have enough attacking talent — including Amad Diallo and Nicolas Pépé — to capitalize on counterattacks. It’s a classic contrast in styles: Norway wants to overwhelm opponents with its firepower, while Ivory Coast will look to frustrate Haaland before striking on the break.
France vs. Sweden
Tuesday, June 30 | 5 p.m. ET | East Rutherford, N.J. | TV: Fox
Odds: France -950, Sweden +610
France has looked every bit like a World Cup favorite, becoming just the third team in the past 40 years to win all three group stage matches by a goal differential of at least +8 — joining the 1998 French champions and 2002 Brazil. Led by Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus have scored 10 goals in three games and have overwhelmed opponents with their pace and attacking talent.
Sweden will have to find a way to slow one of the tournament’s hottest offenses after a shaky defensive group stage. The Swedes conceded five goals to the Netherlands and now face an even tougher test against a France side that looks capable of scoring in bunches against anyone. If Sweden is going to pull off one of the Round of 32’s biggest upsets, it’ll need to frustrate France early and avoid letting Mbappé and Co. find space in transition.
Mexico vs. Ecuador
Tuesday, June 30 | 9 p.m. ET | Mexico City | TV: Fox
Odds: Mexico -184, Ecuador +150
Mexico couldn’t have asked for a better start to its home World Cup. El Tri won all three group stage matches without conceding a goal, becoming just the sixth team to accomplish that feat. Now they’ll return to the familiar atmosphere of the iconic Estadio Azteca for a showdown against Ecuador. A victory would move Mexico one step closer to a potential meeting with England in the Round of 16.
Ecuador has the defensive quality to make thing difficult, however, scoring has been a bigger challenge. La Tri managed just two goals the group stage and now faces one of the tournament’s stingiest back lines. If Mexico continues to defend the way it has in the first three game, home-field advantage and the Azteca crowd could carry the co-hosts into the next round.
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