NORWAY

Norway is a four-time World Cup participant (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026) with a best result of the 1998 round of 16. At the 2026 World Cup, Norway plays in Group I against France, Senegal, and Iraq. Head coach Ståle Solbakken has been in charge since 2020. The leaders: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal, captain), Alexander Sørloth.

Norway hadn't played in a major tournament since 2000 — a 24-year gap. At the 1994 World Cup in the USA, the team drew 0:0 with Scandinavian neighbors in Italy's group, beat Mexico 1:0, and reached its historic debut group exit. Four years later in France 1998, Norway again advanced — beating Brazil 2:1 in the third match (Tore André Flo's goal in the 89th minute) and losing 0:1 to Italy in the round of 16. Then came three failed qualifying cycles and six missed Euros. The Haaland-Ødegaard generation finally closed the gap in 2025.

Qualifying was Europe's biggest story. Norway won all eight matches with a goal difference of 37:5. In the decisive qualifier at the San Siro, Haaland scored against Italy — 4:1, his 16th qualifying goal. In Group I the main rival is France; the match against them on June 26 in Boston is potentially decisive for top spot. Matches are in Boston, New York, and Boston again. A possible round of 16 against England or Spain — a real test for the new generation.

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