Norway compete in Group Nine of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
-
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16 in 1938 and 1998
-
Last World Cup appearance: 1998
-
FIFA ranking: 31
-
Nickname: Landslaget (The National Team)
-
Top clubs: Rosenborg, Molde, Bodø/Glimt, Viking
Qualification: Norway put together a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all eight of their matches in European Group Nine — which also included Italy — including a thumping 11–0 win over Moldova, before closing out their campaign with an unforgettable 4–1 victory over Italy at the San Siro.
Coach: Ståle Solbakken succeeded Swede Lars Lagerbäck in December 2020 following Norway's failure to qualify for Euro 2021. Solbakken, who played at the 1998 World Cup, had a successful coaching career across two spells at FC Copenhagen — from 2006 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2020 — winning six league titles.
Star player: Erling Haaland. At 25, the record-breaker is Norway's undisputed attacking weapon. Manchester City's striker — Norway's all-time top scorer — has netted 55 goals in 49 international appearances, including 16 goals in qualifying alone, yet another record.
Ambitions: Despite Norway never having shone at a major tournament, they arrive at this edition led by prolific scorer Haaland and Arsenal playmaker Martin Ødegaard as genuine dark horses and a real threat to France in Group Nine. The Scandinavians return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, aiming to advance from the group stage — where they will compete strongly with Senegal, alongside Iraq — having dominated their qualifying section with Europe's highest scoring attack, netting 37 goals.