Erling Haaland gets his first World Cup this summer as Norway end a 28-year exile from the tournament.
The Vikings last appeared at the 1998 World Cup, when they were eliminated by Italy in the last 16. The path back to football’s grandest stage took the same opponent through the door. Norway won all eight of their UEFA Group I qualifying matches. They twice beat Italy along the way, 3-0 in Oslo on 6 June and 4-1 at the San Siro on 16 November. Those results helped condemn the four-time champions to a third successive World Cup absence.
Norway: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
Ståle Solbakken unveiled his 26-man squad on 21 May in a pre-recorded video address from King Harald V. The message showcased scenes from Norwegian life rather than the players themselves, framing the squad as a national project. This is widely expected to be Solbakken’s final tournament in charge after taking over in 2020. The Norway boss played in the 1998 World Cup squad himself, lending personal weight to the return.
Let the adventure begin🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/x5gFa1WAxy
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) June 2, 2026
Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard captains the side after lifting the Premier League title with the Gunners. Manchester City’s Haaland leads the line as Norway’s talisman, with 16 goals in qualifying alone. Atlético Madrid’s Alexander Sørloth, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Crystal Palace’s Jørgen Strand Larsen offer further attacking firepower.
Behind the headline names, Solbakken can call on genuine depth. Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson and Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer marshal the defensive line. Hamburg goalkeeper Sander Tangvik, uncapped at the international level, secured the final squad place.
The Vikings will need every ounce of it in Group I. Norway open against debutants Iraq in Foxborough before facing Sadio Mané’s Senegal at MetLife Stadium. The final group game pits Haaland against Kylian Mbappé and France back in Foxborough. A breakthrough into the knockout rounds beckons after three decades of waiting.
Norway 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Tuesday, June 16th – Iraq vs Norway – Foxborough, USA
- Tuesday, June 23rd – Norway vs Senegal – East Rutherford, USA
- Friday, June 26th – Norway vs France – Foxborough, USA
What time do Norway’s World Cup games kick off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Iraq vs Norway, 11pm
- Norway vs Senegal, 1am
- Norway vs France, 8pm
Norway 2026 FIFA 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).
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).
Read more – Sweden: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
See Also- Netherlands: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
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