Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Norway has appeared at the FIFA World Cup on three previous occasions: 1938, 1994, and 1998. Their best result came in 1998 in France, where they reached the round of 16 before losing to Italy. At that tournament they notably beat Brazil 2-1 in the group stage. Norway missed the 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments, resulting in a 28-year gap between their 1998 appearance and the 2026 edition. The 2026 World Cup is their fourth appearance overall and marks the return of Norwegian football to the global stage, driven by a golden generation including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

Qualification

Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning UEFA qualifying Group I with a perfect record: eight wins from eight matches, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five. Their group included Italy, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova. Erling Haaland was the standout performer, scoring 16 goals in the qualifiers, twice the total of any other European qualifier top scorer. Norway clinched their place with a 4-1 victory away at Italy on November 16, 2025, confirming them as group winners with a game to spare. They became one of only two UEFA sides alongside England to win every qualifying match. This was coach Stale Solbakken's first successful World Cup qualifying campaign after missing the 2014 and 2018 tournaments.

Preparation

Norway assembled under head coach Stale Solbakken following the official squad announcement, naming a 26-man group headlined by Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Sorloth. They opened their warm-up programme with a 3-1 win over neighbours Sweden on June 1, 2026 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, a match for which Haaland and Odegaard were rested after long club campaigns; Jorgen Strand Larsen scored twice and Antonio Nusa added the third. Both stars are expected to feature when Norway travel to the United States to face Morocco on June 7, 2026 at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Solbakken has stated that Odegaard is fully injury-free. The squad enter the tournament in strong form after their dominant qualifying campaign, with Haaland arriving as one of the most anticipated players at the 2026 World Cup.

Latest news

Norway beat Sweden 3-1 in Oslo World Cup warm-up; Strand Larsen scores twice

· matches

Norway opened their pre-tournament programme with a 3-1 win over Sweden at Ullevaal Stadion. Jorgen Strand Larsen scored in the 9th and 37th minutes and Antonio Nusa added a third in the 18th; Alexander Isak pulled one back for Sweden in the 78th. Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard were rested. Norway next face Morocco on 7 June.

Solbakken says Odegaard is '100 percent injury-free' ahead of World Cup

· injuries

Coach Stale Solbakken stated that captain Martin Odegaard is '100 prosent skadefri' (100 percent injury-free) ahead of the World Cup, after an injury-plagued club season. Odegaard was set to play Arsenal's Champions League final against PSG. He and Haaland were rested for the 1 June Sweden friendly and are expected to feature against Morocco on 7 June.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Orjan NylandGKSevilla FC
Egil SelvikGKWatford FC
Sander TangvikGKHamburger SV
Kristoffer AjerDFBrentford FC
Fredrik BjørkanDFFK Bodø/Glimt
Henrik FalchenerDFViking FK
Torbjørn HeggemDFBologna FC
Sondre LangåsDFDerby County
Marcus Holmgren PedersenDFTorino FC
Julian RyersonDFBorussia Dortmund
David Møller WolfeDFWolverhampton Wanderers
Leo ØstigårdDFGenoa CFC
Thelo AasgaardMFRangers FC
Fredrik AursnesMFSL Benfica
Patrick BergMFFK Bodø/Glimt
Sander BergeMFFulham FC
Oscar BobbMFFulham FC
Jens Petter HaugeMFFK Bodø/Glimt
Antonio NusaMFRB Leipzig
Andreas SchjelderupMFSL Benfica
Morten ThorsbyMFCremonese
Kristian ThorstvedtMFUS Sassuolo
Martin ØdegaardMFArsenal FC
Erling HaalandFWManchester City
Jørgen Strand LarsenFWCrystal Palace
Alexander SørlothFWAtlético Madrid

Recent results

  • 2024-03-22 — NOR 1-2 CZE (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — NOR 1-1 SVK (friendly)
  • 2024-06-05 — NOR 3-0 KOS (friendly)
  • 2024-06-08 — DEN 3-1 NOR (friendly)
  • 2025-03-22 — MDA 0-5 NOR (qualification)
  • 2025-03-25 — ISR 2-4 NOR (qualification)
  • 2025-06-06 — NOR 3-0 ITA (qualification)
  • 2025-06-09 — EST 0-1 NOR (qualification)
  • 2025-09-04 — NOR 1-0 FIN (friendly)
  • 2025-09-09 — NOR 11-1 MDA (qualification)
  • 2025-10-11 — NOR 5-0 ISR (qualification)
  • 2025-10-14 — NOR 1-1 NZL (friendly)
  • 2025-11-13 — NOR 4-1 EST (qualification)
  • 2025-11-16 — ITA 1-4 NOR (qualification)
  • 2026-03-27 — NED 2-1 NOR (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — NOR 0-0 SUI (friendly)
  • 2026-06-01 — NOR 3-1 SWE (friendly)

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