FIFA World Cup 2026: Let’s give the ball to Haaland, says Norwegian coach

Prolific Norway striker Erling Haaland is set to play against Iraq in his country’s first World Cup match in 28 years on Tuesday and his teammates will look to fuel his remarkable goal-scoring habit, Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken said on Monday.

Haaland, who has scored 16 times in eight qualifying games, double the score of anyone in Europe, appears to be back on top form after being given some rest by Manchester City at the end of the English Premier League season and by Norway in the run-up to the World Cup, Solbakken said.

“Hopefully he will have a very big impact,” he told reporters. “Hopefully we can keep giving him chances and if you give Erling chances he tends to score.”

Solbakken – a former midfielder who played 58 times for Norway – paid tribute to captain Martin Odegaard who scored the most assists in the European qualifiers despite being out for a long period due to injury.

That absence has helped Norway to develop, the coach said: «The players around him have grown as a result. So they have become more confident.»

There was less positive news about striker Jorgen Strand Larsen who has a fever, Solbakken said.

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Norway kicks off its World Cup campaign at the New England Patriots stadium on the outskirts of Boston against an Iraqi side that qualified for the tournament after a 21-match marathon and the added stress and strain of travel disruption caused by the US and Israeli war with neighboring Iran.

Solbakken emphasized Iraq’s organized, compact formation and the danger of crossing.

“And obviously the coach is very used to these types of games when it comes to his success with Australia,” he said, referring to Graham Arnold who led the Socceroos to the round of 16 in 2022, where they were defeated by eventual champions Argentina.

Published on June 16, 2026