Morocco vs Norway 7 June 2026 Prediction

This is the final test before the World Cup begins and the first look at both teams on North American fields. Morocco, one of the strongest teams in Africa, will face Norway, perhaps the main dark horse of the tournament after reaching the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Morocco Starts a New Chapter

Walid Regragui left the team three months before the upcoming World Cup, explaining that Morocco needed different energy and a new perspective. That came despite a 24-match unbeaten run in regulation under his management. Mohamed Ouahbi, who won the U-20 World Cup, was appointed as his replacement. However, he has not previously worked as a head coach at senior level.  

Under the new manager, Morocco has played four friendlies and won three of them. The only notable opponents in that stretch were Ecuador (1-1) and Paraguay (2-1). The coaching staff has not changed the formation, but there are signs that the team’s playing style may look different.

Youssef En-Nesyri’s absence from the squad suggests that Morocco now wants to play a more combination-based game. That should increase the importance of Bilal El Khannouss and Ismael Saibari. Achraf Hakimi, the captain and biggest star of the national team, has had time to rest after the Champions League final, so there is a chance he will feature. On the same right flank, but in attack, Brahim Diaz is expected to start after playing only 10 minutes against Madagascar (4-0). Starting defender Nayef Aguerd has not fully recovered from injury, so Morocco’s center-back pairing will be experimental either way.

The Return of Odegaard and Haaland

Norway was the highest-scoring team in European World Cup qualifying, netting 37 goals in eight matches. Almost half of those came against the group’s weakest side, Moldova (5-0, 11-1). Still, that achievement should not be dismissed, as Stale Solbakken’s team also twice defeated Italy, the best team in Europe in 2021, by large margins (3-0, 4-1). In terms of expected goals, however, Norway generated only 3.12 xG across those two matches. Alongside some good fortune, Norway’s finishing quality also deserves credit.

Norway usually does not show the same intensity or dominance in friendlies, but the team looks highly motivated during this summer camp. Earlier this week, Norway comfortably beat its regional neighbor Sweden (3-1), even without its main scorer Erling Haaland and captain Martin Odegaard, who is responsible for much of the team’s creativity. Solbakken recently confirmed that both players will get minutes in Sunday’s match.

Against Sweden, Norway started with a lineup very close to its strongest XI. The coaching staff made 10 substitutions, but not at halftime as often happens in friendlies — they came in the 63rd minute. This time, several reserves could start, while the key players may come off the bench. With Martin Odegaard available, Norway is expected to move to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 in order to maintain balance in midfield.

Morocco vs Norway Predicted Lineup

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou – Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Salah-Eddine – Ounahi, Bouaddi – Diaz, Saibari, Ezzalzouli – El Kaabi

Will Not Play: Aguerd (injury), En-Nesyri (out of the squad), Al Aoudi (doubtful)

Manager: Mohamed Ouahbi

Norway (4-3-3): Nyland – Pedersen, Ostigard, Heggem, Bjorkan – Odegaard, Berg, Thorsby – Bobb, Haaland, Schjelderup

Will Not Play: Hanche-Olsen, Helland, Myhre (all out of the squad)

Manager: Stale Solbakken

Morocco vs Norway Prediction: Morocco Double Chance at 1.63

• Main Pick: None of the three possible outcomes would be surprising here. Still, bookmakers favor the nominal visitors. Fresh and rested Haaland and Odegaard are a major argument in Norway’s favor, but Morocco is also expected to be strengthened by an equally important player in Hakimi. Under the previous manager, the African side lost only two of its last 11 matches against comparable teams from other continents. At the World Cup, Morocco avoided defeat against Spain (0-0 in regulation) and beat Portugal (1-0), while in friendlies it faced Croatia (0-0), Brazil (2-1), and Belgium (2-0). That is a strong list. We suggest backing Morocco not to lose at 1.63. For the correct score, 1-1 at 6.50 is the pick.
• Goals Pick: Ouahbi still cannot rely on his first-choice central defensive pairing because of Aguerd’s injury. Without him, Morocco failed to keep a clean sheet against solid opponents Ecuador (1-1) and Paraguay (2-1). Norway’s attacking potential is clearly higher than those teams’. At the same time, the nominal hosts are unlikely to leave the field without scoring either. Under their new manager, Morocco is playing with more freedom. It is also worth noting that Solbakken’s team conceded in five of its last six friendlies against top-40 FIFA-ranked opponents. Both teams to score — yes is priced at 1.73.