Match Overview
The 7th round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament between the national teams of Norway and Israel will take place on October 11 at the ‘Ullevaal’ stadium in Oslo. This article provides a prediction, odds analysis, and key statistics for the Norway – Israel encounter.
Norway Team Analysis
Norway’s Dominant Form
The Norwegians achieved an impressive 11-1 victory over Moldova in the previous round. Since 1996, no European team has scored 11 goals in a World Cup qualifier, and Erling Haaland’s penta-trick was the first such achievement by a European player since 1977. Ståle Solbakken’s squad maintains a perfect record in these World Cup qualifiers, leading Group I. They have scored at least three goals in 4 out of 5 matches, accumulating a total of 24 goals – the best offensive record in the current qualification campaign.
Key Norway Statistics
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of Norway’s 8 previous World Cup qualifying matches.
- At home in this tournament, the Scandinavians have won 4 of their last 5 matches (1 draw).
- In 6 previous home World Cup qualifying matches, the national team conceded no more than one goal.
Predicted Norway Lineup (4-4-2)
Ørjan Nyland – Marcus Pedersen, David Møller Wolfe, Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer – Antonio Nusa, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Jørgen Larsen – Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth.
Team Absences
Midfielder Martin Ødegaard and defender Leo Østigård are absent from the squad due to injuries.
Israel Team Analysis
Israel’s Recent Performance
During the September international break, the Israelis defeated Moldova (4-0) and then lost a high-scoring match to Italy (4-5). This extends their uncompromising streak in World Cup qualifiers to 13 matches (8 wins, 5 losses). Notably, Israel only kept two clean sheets during this period. Overall, Ran Ben-Shimon’s side has conceded 11 goals in this qualifying campaign – the third-highest tally in Group I. They also occupy the third position in the group standings.
Key Israel Statistics
- At least 3 goals were scored in 13 of Israel’s last World Cup qualifying matches.
- In 6 of their 7 previous away matches in this tournament, the national team scored at least two goals.
- At least one goal was scored in both halves in Israel’s last 7 away World Cup qualifying matches.
Predicted Israel Lineup (4-5-1)
Daniel Peretz – Danny Gruper, Roy Revivo, Idan Nachmias, Eli Dasa – Dor Turgeman, Oscar Gloukh, Eliel Peretz, Mahmoud Jaber, Manor Solomon – Tai Baribo.
Match Official
Referee Profile
Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Referee Statistics
Matches Officiated – 18 (International, 2024/25 – 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 56;
Average Yellow Cards per Match – 3.1;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Average Fouls per Match – 22;
Penalties Awarded – 28%.
Match Prediction: Norway vs Israel
Head-to-Head & Game Expectation
In the first leg, the Scandinavians defeated their opponent 4-2 on their home turf. I believe there’s a good chance to see many goals in the upcoming match as well, given that there haven’t been significant changes in either team’s play since then.
Norway’s Offensive Prowess
The Norwegians started the qualifiers strongly, but their offensive output in the last round was truly astonishing. Moldova is, of course, the weakest team in Group I, but a double-digit score is impressive regardless. Erling Haaland, who scored 5 goals in that match, shows no signs of stopping, having found the net in 6 consecutive official matches since then.
Israel’s Goal-scoring & Defensive Woes
The Israelis’ matches in the group are only slightly less high-scoring than Norway’s. Ran Ben-Shimon’s team has scored fewer goals overall but has still bagged 15, which is the third-best tally among all participants in the qualifiers. However, the team has significant defensive problems. They only managed a clean sheet against Estonia in the group. Moreover, Israel has conceded in 10 of their last 11 World Cup qualifying matches, with at least two goals conceded in 7 of those encounters.
Final Bet Recommendation
My prediction: “Total Goals Over 3” with odds of 1.60
Author
Author: Aleksey Tarabrin