Brazil-Norway: A Rivalry Far Beyond Football

Before their quarter-final at the 2026 World Cup, Brazil and Norway have been facing off for years in athletics, handball and beach volleyball.

Brazil face Norway on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, but the rivalry between the two nations extends far beyond the football pitch. In athletics, Alison dos Santos and Karsten Warholm compete for supremacy in the 400m hurdles on the Diamond League and at the World Championships. Brazilian women's handball claimed a memorable victory against the Norwegians in 2024 (29-26). Even beach volleyball sees the top teams from both countries face off against each other.