Brazil vs Norway prediction as World Cup quarter-finals await for victors

Five-time champions and World Cup ever-presents Brazil have not lifted the trophy since 2002 and have gone out in the quarter-finals every time since then except for 2014, when they probably would have preferred to in hindsight.

Norway are meanwhile at their first men's World Cup since 1998 and have never made it past this stage of the competition before, going out in the round of 16 in 1938 and 1998.

Kick-off sit set for 4pm local time (9pm UK time), with ITV showing the game to UK viewers.

Brazil celebrate their 2-1 victory over Japan in the 2026 World Cup round of 32

Brazil have been a bit uneven so far, but are yet to lose a game (Image credit: Getty Images)

The game will be hosted by MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will also host the final.

There was a feeling coming into this tournament that this Brazil side was not the finest the country has ever produced, and we have seen elements of why so far.

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Martin Odegaard in action for Norway at the 2026 World Cup

(Image credit: Getty Images)

They went behind both to Morocco in the group stage and Japan in the round of 32 and had to fight back to rescue results.

But Carlo Ancelotti's side remain unbeaten so far, and they demonstrated that they have more than enough individual talents in the side to make a difference, as well as what should on paper be the best centre-back pairing in North America right now.

Vinicius Jr, in particular, found form in the group stage to answer critics who feel he doesn't perform for Brazil at the same level he is capable of reaching for Real Madrid.

But Norway have proven to be more than just Erling Haaland and ten mates with their performances so far, save for a 4-1 defeat to France when they were already qualified and opted to give their first-choice side a rest ahead of the knockout stage.

Tipped by many as viable dark horses (which rather defeats the point of dark horses), Norway now have a chance to take their first big-name scalp of the summer.

Vinicius Junior celebrates a goal for Brazil

Vinicius Jr chipped in with goals in the group stage (Image credit: Getty Images)

Brazil showed against Morocco that a win against another of this World Cup's big boys is not necessarily a given, while Norway's ability to handle tougher opposition is yet to be truly tested.

That makes this a tough one to predict, but we do feel like there will be goals. Brazil to win it in extra time, we think.

Score prediction: Brazil 3-2 Norway (AET)
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