Norway 2026 World Cup Preview - Erling Haaland Leads Norway's Return
Norway makes an exciting return to the World Cup after nearly three decades, headlined by super-striker Erling Haaland. The team, managed by Stale Solbakken, boasts an impressive qualifying run but faces a tough Group I that includes France and Senegal. While Norway is among the tournament's big outsiders (26/1 odds), their forward line commands respect. However, defensive vulnerabilities may limit their progress beyond the Round of 16. Haaland ranks high in Golden Boot betting, yet Norway's group dynamics could restrict goal-scoring fireworks. Key players to watch are Haaland, Odegaard, and Berge.
- Norway return to the World Cup after a 28 year wait
- The Scandinavians are led by Martin Odegaard & Erling Haaland
- Defensive depth may limit their progress in the knockout rounds
Norway return to the World Cup after a 28-year wait, the Scandinavians attracting plenty of attention due to a devastating attack led by Erling Haaland.
Stale Solbakken's side are more than a one man team, but to cause serious damage they will have to navigate their way through a tough group that includes France and Senegal.
World Cup History
Norway made their World Cup debut in 1938, pushing champions Italy to extra time in the Round of 16. Their golden era arrived in the 1990s, qualifying for back-to-back tournaments in 1994 and 1998.
Knocked out on goal difference in 1994, they pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history four years later in the final group game against Brazil.
Kjetil Rekdal's 89th minute penalty secured a 2-1 victory and a spot in the Round of 16, their campaign ending after a 1-0 defeat to Italy.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | France | Round of 16 |
| 1994 | United States | Group Stage |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 |
The Road to 2026 - Goals Galore in the Qualifiers
Norway had a perfect record in the qualifiers, winning all eight matches to finish six points clear of Italy. They finished as Europe's top scorers with 37 goals, highlighted by a historic 11-1 thrashing of Moldova.
Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win in Italy on the final matchday, the striker ending with an incredible 16 goals. Alexander Sorloth and Thelo Aasgaard were next best with five each.
Two friendlies were played in March, a 2-1 defeat in the Netherlands followed by a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. Norway returned to action by beating Sweden 3-1 in Oslo and earned a 1-1 draw against Morocco in Marrakesh.
The Manager - Stale Solbakken
Stale Solbakken earned 58 caps for Norway, taking part at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. His playing career was cut short in 2001 after suffering a heart attack during training.
He became manager of the national team in 2020 following a successful spell in charge of FC Copenhagen,. He guided the Danish club to eight league titles over two spells, managing over 600 matches.
Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 has been forgiven after he took Norway's generational talents to the big dance in 2026.
The Squad - Haaland a One Man Wrecking Machine
Norway possess a talented squad led by Premier League stars Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
The goalkeeper and central defensive positions lack elite players which could limit their ceiling at the World Cup.
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Orjan Nyland | 35 | Sevilla |
| GK | Sander Tangvik | 23 | Hamburg |
| GK | Egil Selvik | 28 | Watford |
| DF | Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer | 28 | Brentford |
| DF | Leo Ostigard | 26 | Genoa |
| DF | David Moller Wolfe | 24 | Wolverhampton |
| DF | Fredrik Andre Bjorkan | 27 | Bodo/Glimt |
| DF | Marcus Holmgren Pedersen | 25 | Torino |
| DF | Torbjorn Heggem | 27 | Bologna |
| DF | Sondre Langas | 25 | Derby County |
| DF | Henrik Falchener | 23 | Viking |
| DF | Julian Ryerson | 28 | Borussia Dortmund |
| MF | Morten Thorsby | 30 | Cremonese |
| MF | Patrick Berg | 28 | Bodo/Glimt |
| MF | Sander Berge | 28 | Fulham |
| MF | Martin Odegaard | 27 | Arsenal |
| MF | Fredrik Aursnes | 30 | Benfica |
| MF | Kristian Thorstvedt | 27 | Sassuolo |
| MF | Thelo Aasgaard | 24 | Rangers |
| MF | Antonio Nusa | 21 | Leipzig |
| MF | Andreas Schjelderup | 22 | Benfica |
| MF | Oscar Bobb | 22 | Fulham |
| MF | Jens Petter Hauge | 26 | Bodo/Glimt |
| FW | Alexander Sorloth | 30 | Atletico Madrid |
| FW | Erling Haaland | 25 | Manchester City |
| FW | Jorgen Strand Larsen | 26 | Crystal Palace |
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe; Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Martin Odegaard; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa
Players to Watch
Sander Berge: The Fulham midfielder provides structure and balance in front of a defence that is likely to be severely tested in the knockout rounds.
Martin Odegaard: The captain and chief architect, Odegaard connects the lines and adds a touch of class required in midfield. His pinpoint passing allows the forwards to go to work.
Erling Haaland: The Manchester City striker is one of the best in the business. His speed, strength and finishing ability are all top level and his international goalscoring record - 55 goals in 50 appearances - makes him an indispensable asset.
Group I Schedule and Path to the Final
Norway have been given a tough draw in Group I, placed alongside two heavyweights. They start their campaign against Iraq followed by matches against Senegal and France.
One thing in their favour is an easy travel schedule. All three group games will be played in comfortable climate conditions in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Iraq | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| June 22 | Senegal | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| June 26 | France | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
Winning the group could be beyond their capabilities, but reaching the knockout rounds is certainly achievable.
Finishing second will see Norway face the Group E runners-up in the Round of 32 which could be Germany, Ivory Coast or Ecuador.
Qualifying as a third placed team would set up a clash against one of six group winners.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds
Norway are being given an outside chance of winning the World Cup, currently 25/1 behind the Netherlands and narrowly in front of Belgium and Colombia.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | 5.50 |
| France | 6.00 |
| England | 7.50 |
| Portugal | 9.00 |
| Brazil | 9.00 |
| Argentina | 10.00 |
| Germany | 15.00 |
| Netherlands | 21.00 |
| Norway | 26.00 |
| Belgium | 34.00 |
| Colombia | 34.00 |
| Japan | 51.00 |
| Morocco | 51.00 |
| Mexico | 67.00 |
| USA | 67.00 |
| Uruguay | 67.00 |
| Switzerland | 81.00 |
| Turkey | 81.00 |
| Croatia | 81.00 |
| Ecuador | 101.00 |
| Senegal | 126.00 |
| Sweden | 126.00 |
| Canada | 126.00 |
| Austria | 151.00 |
| Paraguay | 151.00 |
| Scotland | 251.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 301.00 |
| Egypt | 301.00 |
| Czech Republic | 301.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 351.00 |
| South Korea | 401.00 |
| Ghana | 401.00 |
| Algeria | 401.00 |
| Australia | 501.00 |
| Tunisia | 501.00 |
| Iran | 501.00 |
| DR Congo | 751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1001.00 |
| South Africa | 1001.00 |
| Panama | 1501.00 |
| Iraq | 1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan | 1501.00 |
| Qatar | 2001.00 |
| Cape Verde | 2001.00 |
| New Zealand | 2501.00 |
| Jordan | 2501.00 |
| Haiti | 2501.00 |
| Curacao | 3501.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 9 June 2026
Group I - Winner Odds
Stale Solbakken's side sit second behind France to win Group I, a long way in front of Senegal with Iraq given no chance.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| France |
1.40 |
| Norway |
3.80 |
| Senegal |
8.00 |
| Iraq |
51.00 |
Source: Bet365 and correct on 9 June 2026
Norway Stage of Elimination Odds
Norway should be able to get out of the group stage before the luck of the draw plays a big role in their Round of 32 opponents.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | 4.50 |
| Round of 32 |
3.00 |
| Round of 16 |
4.00 |
| Quarter-finals |
5.50 |
| Semi-finals |
9.00 |
| Runner-Up |
17.00 |
| Winner |
26.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 9 June 2026
Haaland in the Running
Erling Haaland features prominently in the Golden Boot market, currently fourth ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe |
6.50 |
| Harry Kane |
7.50 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal |
13.00 |
| Erling Haaland |
15.00 |
| Lionel Messi |
17.00 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo |
21.00 |
| Julian Alvarez |
26.00 |
| Lamine Yamal |
26.00 |
| Michael Olise |
26.00 |
| Raphinha |
26.00 |
| Kai Havertz |
26.00 |
| Vinicius Junior |
29.00 |
| Lautaro Martinez |
34.00 |
| Ousmane Dembele |
41.00 |
| Cody Gakpo |
41.00 |
| Igor Thiago |
41.00 |
| Luis Suarez |
41.00 |
| Romelu Lukaku |
41.00 |
| Luis Diaz |
51.00 |
| Ferran Torres |
51.00 |
| Florian Wirtz |
51.00 |
| Bruno Fernandes |
51.00 |
| Matheus Cunha |
51.00 |
| Bukayo Saka |
51.00 |
| Morgan Rogers |
51.00 |
| Memphis Depay |
51.00 |
| Dani Olmo |
51.00 |
| Darwin Nunez |
67.00 |
| Jamal Musiala |
67.00 |
| Nick Woltemade |
67.00 |
| Viktor Gyokeres |
67.00 |
| Jude Bellingham |
67.00 |
| Desire Doue |
67.00 |
| Mohamed Salah |
67.00 |
| Marcus Rashford |
67.00 |
| Kevin De Bruyne |
67.00 |
| Leroy Sane |
67.00 |
| Jeremy Doku |
67.00 |
| Charles De Ketelaere |
67.00 |
| Enner Valencia |
81.00 |
| Goncalo Ramos |
81.00 |
| Alexander Isak |
81.00 |
| Donyell Malen |
81.00 |
| Ayase Ueda |
81.00 |
| Breel Embolo |
101.00 |
| Jonathan David |
101.00 |
| Folarin Balogun |
101.00 |
| Raul Jimenez |
101.00 |
| Christian Pulisic |
101.00 |
| Deniz Undav |
101.00 |
| Patrik Schick |
101.00 |
Source: Bet365 and correct on 9 June 2026
Verdict
Norway are a fascinating prospect at the World Cup, but I think they are too short due to a lack of defensive prowess.
With Iraq to park the bus followed by two group games against elite defences, I can't see how Erling Haaland can win the Golden Boot.
Round of 32
Norway Stage of Elimination
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Group I - To Finish 3rd
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