Norway is set to return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year wait, carrying one of the most exciting squads in international football into the 2026 tournament. Headlined by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, the Scandinavian side has emerged as a dangerous attacking unit capable of challenging some of the world’s top teams. Under head coach Ståle Solbakken, Norway successfully ended years of disappointment by securing qualification with a confident and consistent campaign. Alongside Haaland and Odegaard, players like Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Kristoffer Ajer add further quality and balance across the squad. Norway’s return has generated huge excitement among supporters, especially because this current generation is widely regarded as the country’s strongest in decades.
Historically, Norway have appeared in four FIFA World Cups, with their best performance coming in 1998 when they reached the Round of 16. The current generation is considered significantly more talented than previous squads, raising hopes that the nation can finally establish itself among football’s elite countries on the global stage.
Norway World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).
Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).
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Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).
Norway’s 2026 World Cup squad announced by their king pic.twitter.com/QSk0OEQPmF
— Omogbadebo Oluwasegun (@OOmogbadebo) May 22, 2026
Norway have been placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, making it one of the most competitive groups in the competition. France enter as favourites, but Norway are widely viewed as serious contenders for qualification to the knockout stage due to their attacking firepower and recent form. The fixtures against Senegal and Iraq could ultimately decide their fate in the tournament.
