Norway Dreams of Surprise Led by Haaland in First World Cup in 26 Years

Norway enters the 2026 World Cup finals with great ambitions after returning to a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2000, under the leadership of the experienced coach Ståle Solbakken.

The Scandinavian team relies on a pragmatic style that combines defensive solidity with direct attacks, utilizing the abilities of its stars in the best possible way, led by captain Martin Ødegaard and prolific striker Erling Haaland.

Solbakken prefers to play in a 4-3-3 formation with significant tactical flexibility, granting the young winger Antonio Nusa freedom on the left flank, while right-back Julian Ryerson advances offensively on the right side. This allows Haaland and Alexander Sørloth to position themselves close to the goal.

The team has also seen a noticeable improvement in building play from the back, thanks to the presence of defenders Torbjørn Heggem and Kristoffer Ajer.

Haaland is undoubtedly the number one star in the Norwegian ranks, having broken the historic scoring record previously held by Jørgen Juve. The Norwegians hope that the Manchester City striker will lead them to a stunning surprise in the tournament, capitalizing on his immense physical strength and ability to seize half-chances.

Nusa, the player from German club Leipzig, stands out as one of the most promising rising talents capable of making a difference with his individual skills and dribbling speed. The same applies to Andreas Schjelderup, the star of Benfica, and behind them, Arsenal's star Martin Ødegaard.

In the list of unsung heroes, midfielder Sander Berge is highly regarded within the team for his pivotal role in balancing defense and attack.

Norway will begin their journey in Group Nine by facing Iraq, before meeting Senegal and then clashing with the strong contender France. While the Norwegians are aware of the difficulty of the task, having Haaland at the forefront makes them believe that anything is possible in the global event.