While the UEFA Nations League is close to a conclusion, most European teams have started their qualification campaigns for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Norway would hope to continue their good start against Italy at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Friday, June 6.
Learn more about the odds, team news, picks, and predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Norway and Italy:
Here is when and where to watch the clash between Norway and Italy:
Date: 05/06
Time: 8:45 pm CET
Location: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
Where to watch: The match can be watched on Amazon Prime Video in the UK
Norway and Italy have previously met four times in the history of the rivalry and the Italians have come out on top thrice while the hosts for Friday have won one solitary encounter, back in 2005, as Italy started the 2006 World Cup qualifiers with a loss but went on to win the tournament in July’06.
While Italy was busy in the Nations League quarter-finals in the last international window, Norway blew away Moldova and Israel 5-0 and 4-2 respectively, to take the pole position in Group I standings. Star strikers Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth scored in both fixtures, and the duo would once again be crucial to break a rigid Italian defense on Friday evening.
Gli Azzuri were involved in the Nations League quarter-finals in March and almost staged a comeback against Germany by scoring three goals in the second half of the second leg, but fell a goal short, allowing the Germans to earn the hosting rights for the finals. Luciano Spalletti’s men will now kick off their World Cup qualification campaign against Norway and should be confident of making it to the 48-team tournament next year.
The Playoffs aim to facilitate the safest bets for the game. Have a look at the predictions for the game below.
Total goals Over 3.5 @ +175 (MGM Bet): The Norwegians have scored 9 goals in their first two 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, and the Martin Odegaard-captained side will be aiming for a return to football’s biggest tournament since their last appearance in 1998. With a star-studded young core available to the national side, Norway would be hoping that they become a mainstay in the quadrennial competition.
Mateo Retegui (To Score a Goal @ +155 as per Fan Duel): The Golden Boot winner in the 2024-25 Serie A season, Mateo Retegui scored 21 goals in the first 25 league matches followed by only 4 goals in the next 11 league fixtures as Atalanta failed to mount a title challenge, losing three crucial matches to Inter, Fiorentina, and Lazio between Matchday 29 and Matchday 31.
Erling Haaland (To Score a Goal @ +120 as per MGM Bet): Erling Haaland is one of the best strikers in football currently, as the lanky Manchester City striker scored 22 goals in the 2024-25 Premier League season despite missing a chunk of the season between the last week of March and the first week of May. The all-time leading goalscorer for Norway added two more goals to his tally in the March international window and would be looking to net more goals against a top opposition on Friday.
Italy’s injury crisis at the back could open them up to a fatal disaster, as the Norwegian midfielders and forwards would be ready to take advantage and maintain their lead at the top of the Group I standings.
Our Final Prediction: A 3-2 win for Italy could be on the cards, but given the poor form of Italian strikers, it could also end as a 2-2 draw with both Haaland and Retegui finding the back of the net.
