Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 preview – Vikings look to impress on return to World Cup

Norway participates in the World Cup as an unproven entity. Despite having some big names in the ranks, Norway’s 28-year absence from the biggest stage leaves nothing to judge other than recent results. For context, 16 players in the 26-man squad weren’t even born the last time the country played in 1998.

But an excellent qualifying campaign will ensure that no opponent will take the Scandinavian country lightly. After having to watch the recent World Cup and European Championships on TV, Norway romped through the qualifying tournament, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five, while also beating former champions Italy home and away.

Sixteen of those goals were scored by the country’s all-time top scorer Erling Haaland, who is eager to find the back of the net in his first major tournament appearance in national colours.

But the Manchester City forward isn’t the only big name on the squad, with Premier League-winning Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth.

While Haaland and Sorloth rely heavily on raw power and strength, RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa will be hoping to bring some flair to the team. The 20-year-old’s quick feet fuel his willingness to take on defenders, and he expects a breakout campaign.

The defense is strengthened by the presence of Kristoffer Ajer and Julian Ryerson, with the latter having the option to occasionally be used as an extra man on the right wing in the attack. Moreover, set pieces can be a weapon for the Scandinavian country, as the country shares the highest team title at this World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an average team height of 187.23 cm.

Player to watch out for: Erling Haaland

A high-profile departure and belated miss out on a league title could have overshadowed Erling Haaland’s season. But the Norwegian was back in good form, picking up his third Premier League Golden Boot (27 goals) in four years at the club and will be keen to extend his lead as Norway’s all-time top scorer.

Manager: Stale Solbakken

After being part of the last Norwegian squad to play at the World Cup, Stale Solbakken was appointed as the country’s head coach in 2020. His journey had its ups and downs, including failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. However, he found a pragmatic way to focus the game on his best players for success while ensuring a team-first approach exists within the squad.

Published on June 10, 2026