Norway
UEFA • UEFA
Tournament Outlook
Legitimate dark-horse to reach the quarter-finals. With Haaland, Ødegaard, and Nusa, a second-place finish behind France in Group I is very achievable.
Best World Cup Result: Round of 16 (1998)
About Norway
Norway's 2026 squad is hailed as the country's "Golden Generation" — centered around Erling Haaland, arguably the most devastating striker in world football, and creative maestro Martin Ødegaard. After a painful 28-year World Cup absence, Norway qualified with a perfect campaign, winning all eight matches.
Playing Style: Manager Ståle Solbakken deploys a 4-3-3 emphasizing patient possession, brave ball circulation to invite the opposition press, then explosive transitions. Electric wingers provide 1-v-1 dribbling while Haaland serves as the lethal focal point.
Key Players
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
Antonio Nusa
RB Leipzig
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Erling Haaland — arguably the best striker in world football
- Perfect qualifying campaign: 8 wins in 8 matches, 37 goals scored
- Martin Ødegaard's elite creative playmaking
- Exciting young wingers (Nusa, Bobb) with genuine "Golden Generation" depth
Weaknesses
- No World Cup experience for 28 years
- Over-reliance on Haaland
- Group I with France and Senegal is extremely tough
- Historical pattern of underperforming at major tournaments
World Cup Schedule
Fun Facts
- ⚽Haaland's 16 goals in 8 qualifying matches is one of the highest individual tallies in European WC qualifying history
- ⚽Norway were once ranked No. 2 in FIFA World Rankings (1993-1995) under Egil "Drillo" Olsen
- ⚽Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup with an 89th-minute penalty
Team Info
- FIFA Code
- NOR
- Confederation
- UEFA
- World Cup Appearances
- 4
- Group
- Group I
Fan Culture
A knowledgeable and long-suffering fanbase that has waited 28 years for this moment, combining Scandinavian passion with fierce Viking-inspired intensity.
Known as: Løvene (The Lions)
Famous Chants: