Norway have received a mixed update ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 showdown against Brazil scheduled to be played on Monday, July 6 at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, with star defender Julian Ryerson returning to full training but remaining a major doubt for the blockbuster knockout clash.
The Borussia Dortmund full-back has missed Norway's previous two World Cup fixtures after suffering a thigh injury during the group-stage encounter against Senegal, raising concerns over whether he will be fit enough to start against one of the tournament favourites.
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Ryerson returns to training but availability remains uncertain
According to NRK, Julian Ryerson participated in full training sessions with the Norwegian squad ahead of the Brazil fixture, providing hope that he could recover in time.
However, the defender's availability is still far from certain after Norway's medical team had earlier estimated his chances of being fit for the Round of 16 clash at less than 50 percent.
The 27-year-old has not featured in Norway's victories over Ivory Coast and France, with the coaching staff opting not to rush him back from injury.
Norway faces difficult task if Ryerson misses out
Should Ryerson fail to recover in time, Norway could once again turn to Marcus Pedersen, who deputised during the victory over the Ivory Coast. Fredrik Aursnes also remains an option to fill the role if required.
Julian Ryerson's potential absence would be a significant blow for Norway, especially with the full-back likely to be tasked with containing Brazil winger Vinicius Junior, one of the standout performers at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, Norway will be hoping their defensive star can make a timely recovery before Sunday's highly anticipated clash against the five-time world champions. If Ryerson is unavailable, Marcus Pedersen and potentially Fredrik Aursnes, should he be called upon, will shoulder significant responsibility in what promises to be one of Norway's biggest matches of the tournament.