Norway's Quarterfinal Opponent Confirmed as England Survive Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Mexico
Norway's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 journey will continue against England after the Three Lions edged Mexico 3-2 in one of the tournament's most dramatic Round of 16 matches. The victory sets up a fascinating quarter-final showdown between a Norway side chasing its first-ever World Cup semi-final and an England team determined to continue its title challenge.
How Norway got here
Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes to send Norway to a historic 2-1 win over five-time champions Brazil, booking their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal spot and handing Brazil their earliest tournament exit since 1990 — a run that had stood at eight consecutive quarterfinal appearances before this collapse. Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was the match's unsung hero, denying a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimarães and making a string of further saves before Haaland, quiet for most of the match, was told by manager Ståle Solbakken at the second-half hydration break to "drain his energy and go for it." He did exactly that, heading in a Andreas Schjelderup assist in the 79th minute before adding a driven finish in the 90th. Solbakken called it a night that "changed Norway forever," pointing out the men's team — unlike Norway's 1995 World Cup-winning women's side — had never before advanced past the Round of 16.
How England survived Mexico
Meanwhile in Mexico City, England needed everything they had to beat the co-hosts 3-2 in what's already being called one of the tournament's classic matches. Jude Bellingham scored twice in under two minutes to give England a stunning early lead, only for Julián Quiñones to pull one back before halftime. The match turned chaotic in the second half: defender Jarell Quansah was sent off on review in the 54th minute, Harry Kane then converted a penalty to restore England's cushion, before Kane himself conceded a penalty moments later, which Raúl Jiménez converted to make it 3-2. England, down to ten men and facing Mexico's raucous altitude advantage at 2,200 meters above sea level, held on through 21 minutes plus 11 minutes of stoppage time to seal passage to the quarterfinals — a result manager Thomas Tuchel's side will treasure given how much adversity they overcame. For Mexico, it extends a painful wait: the co-hosts haven't reached a World Cup quarterfinal since 1986, the same tournament and stadium where Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" ended England's own campaign.
What's Next
Norway and England will meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals on Saturday, July 11, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. Norway will hope Erling Haaland can continue his outstanding goalscoring form, while England will look to build on the resilience it showed against Mexico.
With both teams carrying confidence into the match, fans can expect another highly competitive encounter as the tournament enters its decisive stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will Norway face in the World Cup quarter-finals?
Norway will face England after England defeated Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16.
How did Norway qualify for the quarter-finals?
Norway defeated Brazil 2-1, with Erling Haaland scoring twice late in the match.
When is the Norway vs England match?
The quarter-final is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, in Miami.

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