Norway returns to the World Cup in 2026 after last participating in 1998, aiming for a strong performance led by star player Erling Haaland. The squad was announced by King Harald V, marking a significant moment for Norwegian football fans.
Key points
Norway has appeared in the World Cup three times.
Their best performance was reaching the Last 16.
Erling Haaland is the key player for Norway.
Norway's FIFA world ranking is 31.
The squad announcement was made by King Harald V.
Mentioned in this story
Erling Haaland
World Cup 2026Norway
Previous World Cup appearances: 3 Best performance: Last 16 (1938, 1998) First appearance: 1938 (France) Top goal scorer: Kjetil Rekdal (2) Most appearances: Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Kjetil Rekdal (7) Player to watch: Erling Haaland FIFA world ranking: 31
Norway have not played at a World Cup since 1998, as a generation of fans has had to endure a series of near misses and damp squibs.
This Norway side, however, powered by the superstar Erling Haaland alongside a bunch of other huge talents, stormed their qualifying group with eight wins out of eight, including giving Italy home and away drubbings.
Not only are the Scandinavian nation finally back at the World Cup, this time they aim to go far – if not all the way.
The squad was announced on Thursday in a video by the country’s King Harald V, who said the country has “waited a long time” to return to the World Cup.
“The hope has lived on – on gravel, on grass and artificial turf … Across long distances, ferries and mountain passes,” he said.
Haaland to emulate father
The Man City striker ran rampant in qualifying, scoring five goals and grabbing two assists in a 11-1 mauling 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 scored in just 46 appearances.
Haaland’s domestic season has produced another bumper tally of goals, even if they came in fits and starts – he won the Premier League’s golden boot again with 27 goals.
The 25 year old also became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, scored in just 111 appearances.
Haaland also has an added personal inspiration in this tournament as his father played in the last US World Cup, back in 1994.
The only concerns will be his fitness and freshness after a long and gruelling season, and whether he has enough creativity behind him to help him unlock the most elite of defences.
Odegaard’s fitness causes concern
Norway’s most creative force is Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, but the playmaker has endured an injury-plagued season.
Odegaard has suffered at least five separate injuries that limited his number of games this season and he was forced to miss out on Norway’s March friendlies.
Q&A
When did Norway last participate in the World Cup?
Norway last participated in the World Cup in 1998.
Who is the top player to watch for Norway in the 2026 World Cup?
The top player to watch for Norway is Erling Haaland.
What is Norway's best performance in World Cup history?
Norway's best performance in World Cup history is reaching the Last 16 in 1938 and 1998.
How did Norway qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Norway qualified for the 2026 World Cup by winning all eight matches in their qualifying group.
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If Odegaard is fit and match-sharp, Haaland will not worry too much about service. Odegaard’s morale should also be sky-high after Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
But without him, Norway lose a vital creative link between midfield and attack.
epa12972569 Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates at the end of the English Premier League match Arsenal FC against Burnley FC, in London, Britain, 18 May 2026. EPA/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Norway will need a healthy Odegaard in the midfield to navigate a difficult World Cup 2026 group that includes France, Senegal and Iraq [File: David Cliff/EPA]
The supporting cast
Of course, there is much more to Norway than the Haaland-Odegaard double act.
“We believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time,” said manager Stale Solbakken.
RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, 20, is primed for a breakout tournament if he can find the opportunity to impress with his pace and flair.
Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth is a physically imposing and accomplished goalscorer who can complement Haaland or play in his place if needed, while Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen is also a highly rated attacker.
Man City’s Oscar Bobb looks like a supremely talented attacker, although his initial breakout was halted by a nasty injury and he is yet to fully reestablish himself in the Premier League.
Solbakken, who took over the reins in 2020, has got Norway playing a high-pressing, possession-based football – although the team is also adept at counterattacking with lightning-fast transitions.
There are perhaps questions over whether Norway’s defence will stand up to the most elite of attacks, as they have rarely been overly tested in recent games.
Which teams are in Norway’s group at the World Cup?
Group I is arguably the toughest group at the World Cup, with France and Senegal set to pose stiff tests and Iraq being a potential banana skin.
The opener against Iraq is a must-win ahead of a tough task against Senegal, who boast a rock-solid defence and blistering pace in attack, and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in January.
Norway’s final group stage fixture could feature a mouthwatering striker match-up between Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe.
If both sides have already qualified, they may be tempted to rest players to protect them for a potentially long tournament – although winning the group could confer a big advantage in terms of who awaits in the initial knockout rounds. And with such a strong group, qualification may still be up in the air going into that game.
Norway’s group matches at the World Cup
⚽ Tuesday, June 16: Group I: Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough, Mass.), 6 pm ET/2200 GMT ⚽ Monday, June 22: Group I: Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, N.J.), 8 pm ET/0000 GMT ⚽ Friday, June 26: Group I: Norway vs. France (Foxborough, Mass.), 3 pm ET/1900 GMT
Al Jazeera’s prediction
Last 16.
Norway’s limitations could be exposed early if they encounter a truly elite team.
