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A look back at the World Cup: 3
Best practice: 16 years ago (1938, 1998)
First appearance: 1938 (France)
Top scorer: Kjetil Rekdal (2)
Most visible: Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Kjetil Rekdal (7)
Player to watch: Erling Haaland
FIFA World Cup: 31
Norway haven’t played at a World Cup since 1998, as a generation of fans have had to endure a series of near misses and squibs.
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This part of Norway, however, is ruled by the stars Erling Haaland along with a group of other great talents, they upset their qualifying group with eight wins out of eight, including giving Italy home and the booze.
Not only is Scandinavia back at the World Cup, this time they want to go further – if not further.
The group was announced on Thursday in a video by the country’s King Harald V, who said the country had “waited a long time” to return to the World Cup.
“Hope has been there – on the rocks, the grass and the artificial fields… Over long distances, boats and mountains,” he said.
Haaland adopted father
The Man City striker had a great run in qualifying, scoring five goals and assisting two in an 11-1 rout of Moldova. He also scored a hat-trick in Norway’s 5–0 thrashing of Israel, becoming the fastest player in history to reach 50 international goals, which he achieved in just 46 games.
Haaland’s domestic season has produced many more goals, albeit in fits and starts – he also won the Premier League’s golden boot with 27 goals.
The 25-year-old also became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, having played in just 111 games.
Haaland also has extra inspiration for the game as his father played in the final US World Cupin 1994.
The main concern is his fitness and recovery after a long and grueling season, and whether he has enough talent behind him to help him unlock the top defense.
Odegaard’s fitness is causing concern
Norway’s strongest player is Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, but the striker has endured an injury-plagued season.
Odegaard has suffered at least five injuries that have kept him out of most games this season and was forced to miss a friendly in Norway in March.
If Odegaard is fit and sharp, Haaland will not worry too much about work. Odegaard’s morale should also be high after Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
But without him, Norway loses an important link between midfield and attack.
Support group
Of course, there is more to Norway than the Haaland-Odegaard double.
“We believe we have a strong team. This is a team that has achieved good results for a long time,” said manager Stale Solbakken.
RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, 20, is ready to make a breakthrough if he gets the chance to impress with his speed and skill.
Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth is a versatile and versatile player who can complement Haaland or play in his place if needed, while Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen is also a strong attacker.
Man City’s Oscar Bobb appears to be a very talented striker, although his explosion has been halted by a nasty injury and he has never established himself in the Premier League.
Solbakken, who took over in 2020, has made Norway play a fast-paced, possession-based football – although the team also has a knack for dealing with quick transitions.
There may also be questions about whether Norway’s defense will stand up to the biggest threat, as they have not been tested much in recent games.
Which teams are in Norway’s World Cup squad?
Group I is the toughest group in the World Cup, with France and Senegal set to provide tough tests and Iraq being banana skins.
The opener against Iraq should win ahead of a difficult task against Senegalwho boast a strong defense and a strong pace in attack, and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Norway’s finals could have a fierce match between Haaland and France Kylian Mbappe.
If both sides are already qualified, they may be tempted to rest players to protect them from what could be a long competition – although a win in this group would give a big advantage to those waiting for the first round. And with such a strong squad, qualification could still be up in the air going into the game.
Norway’s team games at the World Cup
⚽ Tuesday, June 16: Group I: Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough, Mass.), 6pm ET/2200 GMT
⚽ Monday, June 22: Group I: Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, NJ), 8pm ET/0000 GMT
⚽ Friday, June 26: Group I: Norway vs. France (Foxborough, Mass.), 3pm ET/1900 GMT
Al Jazeera’s prediction
Final 16.
Norway’s weaknesses may be exposed early if they face a top team.
Norway’s 2026 World Cup squad
Scorers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).
Protectors: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondrikby Fangasche Friday
Middle players: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).
Players: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).
