Prediction: Morocco vs Norway – SoccerNews

Morocco and Norway will meet in an international friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey on Sunday evening, with both nations playing their final warm-up match before the 2026 World Cup begins.

The Atlas Lions are looking to complete their preparation schedule with another positive result, while Norway arrive in the United States with one of the most exciting attacking groups at the tournament.

Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 4-6
Bookmaker: 1xbet

Morocco

Morocco enters this friendly in excellent form after two dominant warm-up victories. They beat Burundi 5-0 in late May before easing past Madagascar 4-0 earlier this week, giving Mohamed Ouahbi’s side a strong platform before the tournament.

The Atlas Lions have been one of Africa’s most consistent national teams in recent years, and they arrive at the World Cup with plenty of players who were part of the historic run to the semifinals in Qatar. The core of the team still looks strong, especially with Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi and Brahim Diaz all available.

This match should be Morocco’s most serious test of the June window. Burundi and Madagascar were useful preparation opponents, but Norway bring far greater attacking quality, especially through Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa.

Morocco should still back themselves to cause Norway problems. Brahim Diaz is one of the most important players for Morocco, and they will certainly try to utilize their right attacking side with Hakimi, one of the most dangerous attacking full-backs in world football. Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi will try to convert the chances these two players create, with their movement in the final third.

Morocco Team News

Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi and Ahmed Tagnaouti are the goalkeeping options in Morocco’s final World Cup squad. Bounou remains the most established option and could start here if Ouahbi wants his strongest XI to get rhythm before the tournament.

In defence, Morocco can call on Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Chadi Riad, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Anass Salah-Eddine and Youssef Belammari. Hakimi and Mazraoui give the Atlas Lions serious quality in wide defensive areas, while Aguerd’s inclusion is important despite his recent lack of match rhythm.

The midfield group includes Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Samir El Mourabet. Saibari comes into this match with confidence after scoring twice against Madagascar.

Further forward, Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Soufiane Rahimi, Chemsdine Talbi, Yassine Gessime and Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe are available. Youssef En-Nesyri has been left out of the squad, so El Kaabi and Rahimi could be important central attacking options.

Norway

Norway arrive in New Jersey with high expectations and a squad that can trouble almost any opponent. Stale Solbakken’s side is preparing for their first World Cup appearance since 1998, and the attacking quality in this group makes them one of the more interesting teams heading into the tournament.

The biggest reason for optimism is clear. Erling Haaland gives Norway elite finishing power, while Martin Odegaard gives them the creative link between midfield and attack. Add Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Norway have more attacking depth than they have had for many years.

Norway also warmed up well earlier this week, beating Sweden 3-1 in Oslo. That result should give them confidence, especially because Haaland was not needed from the start, showing that Solbakken has more than one route to goal.

The concern remains at the other end. Norway’s forward line looks dangerous, but their defensive structure has not always looked as convincing as their attacking play. Against Morocco, they will need to defend wide areas carefully, especially when Hakimi and Mazraoui advance from full-back positions.

Norway Team News

Orjan Haskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik and Sander Tangvik are Norway’s goalkeeping options. Nyland is the experienced choice and is expected to remain the leading candidate between the sticks.

In defence, Solbakken can call on Julian Ryerson, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, David Moller Wolfe, Fredrik Bjorkan, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Leo Skiri Ostigard, Sondre Langas and Henrik Falchener. Ryerson and Ajer should be important if Norway want to contain Morocco’s wide threat.

The midfield is led by Martin Odegaard, with Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Kristian Thorstvedt, Morten Thorsby and Thelo Aasgaard also in the squad. Odegaard’s ability to connect with Haaland and the wide forwards will be central to Norway’s attacking plan.

Further forward, Erling Haaland is the main danger, while Alexander Sorloth, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Jens Petter Hauge give Solbakken plenty of options. Norway may manage minutes before the World Cup, but they still have enough firepower to score against strong opposition.

Morocco vs Norway Key Factors to Consider

• Morocco has won their last two warm-up matches by a combined 9-0 scoreline.
• Norway beat Sweden 3-1 in their previous friendly, with Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring twice and Antonio Nusa also finding the net.
• This will be the first meeting between Morocco and Norway since their 2-2 draw at the 1998 World Cup.
• Morocco has kept their defensive core from recent tournament success, with Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd all in the squad.
• Norway have one of the strongest attacking groups at the World Cup, led by Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth.

Conclusion

Morocco has looked sharp in their preparation matches and should enter this game with confidence. They didn’t concede a single goal in their last two matches, but Burundi and Madagascar are not an attacking threat as Norway, not even remotely.

Haaland and Odegaard give Solbakken’s side world-class quality in the most important attacking zones, while Sorloth, Nusa, Bobb and Strand Larsen make the visitors difficult to contain even if changes are made.

This should be a useful final test for both sides before the World Cup. Morocco has enough quality and form to score, but Norway’s attacking power should allow them to score as well. With both teams likely to take this match seriously but still protect players before the tournament, both teams to score looks like the safest angle.

Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: 1xbet