Norway squad announced for 2026 World Cup with Haaland and Odegaard at the helm
The Scandinavian nation returns to the global stage for the first time since 1998, backed by a perfect qualifying record and a star-studded roster.
Norway have officially announced their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming their return to the tournament for the first time since 1998. The announcement was made via video message by King Harald V, who noted the country’s long wait to return to the World Cup stage. Manager Stale Solbakken has named a squad that qualified with an unblemished record, securing eight wins from eight matches in their qualifying group.
The team is led by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who has established himself as a record-breaking figure in international football. Haaland became the fastest player in history to reach 50 international goals, achieving the milestone in just 46 appearances, a feat that included a hat-trick against Israel. His domestic form has also been exceptional, as he won the Premier League’s golden boot with 27 goals and became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals in 111 appearances.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is another key figure in the squad, providing creative leadership in midfield. Odegaard’s season was disrupted by at least five separate injuries, causing him to miss Norway’s March friendlies. However, his morale is expected to be boosted by Arsenal’s recent Premier League title win, their first in 22 years. Solbakken has also included Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, and Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen in the attacking ranks.
Norway have been drawn in Group I, a fixture list that presents significant challenges. The team faces Iraq, Senegal, and France. Their Group I opener is against Iraq in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, 16 June. This is followed by a match against Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday, 22 June, and a final group stage fixture against France in Foxborough on Friday, 26 June.
The squad reflects Solbakken’s preference for a high-pressing, possession-based style of play, although the team is also adept at counterattacking. With Norway’s defence rarely tested to the highest level in recent qualifying, questions remain regarding their resilience against elite opposition. The final group match against France could feature a direct striker contest between Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, potentially determining group standings ahead of the knockout stages.
