{"id":6885,"date":"2026-05-26T14:35:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/norway-world-cup-2026-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad-list\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T14:35:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:35:45","slug":"norway-world-cup-2026-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/norway-world-cup-2026-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Norway World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches, squad list"},"content":{"rendered":"<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p><strong>Previous World Cup appearances:<\/strong> 3<br \/> <strong>Best performance:<\/strong> Last 16 (1938, 1998)<br \/> <strong>First appearance:<\/strong> 1938 (France)<br \/> <strong>Top goal scorer: <\/strong>Kjetil Rekdal (2)<br \/> <strong>Most appearances:<\/strong> Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Kjetil Rekdal (7)<br \/> <strong>Player to watch:<\/strong> Erling Haaland<br \/> <strong>FIFA world ranking:<\/strong> 31<\/p>\n<p>Norway have not played at a World Cup since 1998, as a generation of fans has had to endure a series of near misses and damp squibs.<\/p>\n<section>\n<h2>Recommended Stories <\/h2>\n<p><span>list of 4 items<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>list 1 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/26\/michael-jordan-pays-tribute-to-pep-guardiola-at-man-city-managers-farewell\">NBA legend Jordan pays tribute to Guardiola at Man City manager\u2019s sendoff<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 2 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/26\/miami-says-messi-diagnosed-with-hamstring-fatigue-ahead-of-argentina-camp\">Inter Miami says Messi dealing with \u2018overload\u2019, fatigue in left hamstring<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 3 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/25\/what-are-the-biggest-fifa-world-cup-upsets-in-history\">What are the 10 biggest FIFA World Cup upsets in history?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 4 of 4<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/24\/what-to-know-about-cape-verde-at-world-cup-2026\">\u2018Small country with big heart\u2019: A look into Cape Verde\u2019s World Cup debut<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>This Norway side, however, powered by the superstar <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2025\/1\/17\/haaland-and-manchester-city-agree-new-ten-year-contract\">Erling Haaland<\/a> alongside a bunch of other huge talents, stormed their qualifying group with eight wins out of eight, including giving Italy home and away drubbings.<\/p>\n<p>Not only are the Scandinavian nation finally back at the World Cup, this time they aim to go far \u2013 if not all the way.<\/p>\n<p>The squad was announced on Thursday in a video by the country\u2019s King Harald V, who said the country has\u00a0\u201cwaited a long time\u201d to return to the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe hope has lived on \u2013 on gravel, on grass and artificial turf \u2026 Across long distances, ferries and mountain passes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"haaland-to-emulate-father\">Haaland to emulate father<\/h2>\n<p>The Man City striker ran rampant in qualifying, scoring five goals and grabbing two assists in a 11-1 mauling of Moldova. He also scored a hat-trick in Norway\u2019s 5-0 thrashing of Israel, becoming the fastest player in history to reach 50 international goals, which he scored in just 46 appearances.<\/p>\n<p>Haaland\u2019s domestic season has produced another bumper tally of goals, even if they came in fits and starts \u2013 he won the Premier League\u2019s golden boot again with 27 goals.<\/p>\n<p>The 25 year old also became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, scored in just 111 appearances.<\/p>\n<p>Haaland also has an added personal inspiration in this tournament as his father played in the last <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/9\/world-cup-2026-how-united-states-football-has-evolved-since-1994-hosting\">US World Cup<\/a>, back in 1994.<\/p>\n<p>The only concerns will be his fitness and freshness after a long and gruelling season, and whether he has enough creativity behind him to help him unlock the most elite of defences.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"odegaard-s-fitness-causes-concern\">Odegaard\u2019s fitness causes concern<\/h2>\n<p>Norway\u2019s most creative force is Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, but the playmaker has endured an injury-plagued season.<\/p>\n<p>Odegaard has suffered at least five separate injuries that limited his number of games this season and he was forced to miss out on Norway\u2019s March friendlies.<\/p>\n<p>If Odegaard is fit and match-sharp, Haaland will not worry too much about service. Odegaard\u2019s morale should also be sky-high after Arsenal <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/20\/top-five-factors-behind-arsenals-first-premier-league-title-in-22-years\">won the Premier League<\/a> for the first time in 22 years.<\/p>\n<p>But without him, Norway lose a vital creative link between midfield and attack.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4593845\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4593845\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/epa_6a1045076f41-1779451143.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"epa12972569 Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates at the end of the English Premier League match Arsenal FC against Burnley FC, in London, Britain, 18 May 2026. EPA\/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club\/league\/player publications.\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4593845\">Norway will need a healthy Odegaard in the midfield to navigate a difficult World Cup 2026 group that includes France, Senegal and Iraq [File: David Cliff\/EPA]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-supporting-cast\">The supporting cast<\/h2>\n<p>Of course, there is much more to Norway than the Haaland-Odegaard double act.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time,\u201d said manager Stale Solbakken.<\/p>\n<p>RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, 20, is primed for a breakout tournament if he can find the opportunity to impress with his pace and flair.<\/p>\n<p>Atletico Madrid\u2019s Alexander Sorloth is a physically imposing and accomplished goalscorer who can complement Haaland or play in his place if needed, while Crystal Palace\u2019s Jorgen Strand Larsen is also a highly rated attacker.<\/p>\n<p>Man City\u2019s Oscar Bobb looks like a supremely talented attacker, although his initial breakout was halted by a nasty injury and he is yet to fully reestablish himself in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>Solbakken, who took over the reins in 2020, has got Norway playing a high-pressing, possession-based football \u2013 although the team is also adept at counterattacking with lightning-fast transitions.<\/p>\n<p>There are perhaps questions over whether Norway\u2019s defence will stand up to the most elite of attacks, as they have rarely been overly tested in recent games.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"which-teams-are-in-norway-s-group-at-the-world-cup\">Which teams are in Norway\u2019s group at the World Cup?<\/h2>\n<p>Group I is arguably the toughest group at the World Cup, with France and Senegal set to pose stiff tests and Iraq being a potential banana skin.<\/p>\n<p>The opener against Iraq is a must-win ahead of a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/21\/sadio-mane-kalidou-koulibaly-star-picks-in-senegals-world-cup-squad\">tough task against Senegal<\/a>, who boast a rock-solid defence and blistering pace in attack, and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in January.<\/p>\n<p>Norway\u2019s final group stage fixture could feature a mouthwatering striker match-up between Haaland and France\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/5\/15\/benched-mbappe-says-hes-fourth-choice-forward-at-real-madrid-under-arbeloa\">Kylian Mbappe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If both sides have already qualified, they may be tempted to rest players to protect them for a potentially long tournament \u2013 although winning the group could confer a big advantage in terms of who awaits in the initial knockout rounds. And with such a strong group, qualification may still be up in the air going into that game.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"norway-s-group-matches-at-the-world-cup\">Norway\u2019s group matches at the World Cup<\/h2>\n<p><strong>\u26bd Tuesday, June 16:<\/strong> Group I: Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough, Mass.), 6 pm ET\/2200 GMT<br \/> <strong>\u26bd Monday, June 22:<\/strong> Group I: Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, N.J.), 8 pm ET\/0000 GMT<br \/> <strong>\u26bd Friday, June 26:<\/strong> Group I: Norway vs. France (Foxborough, Mass.), 3 pm ET\/1900 GMT<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"al-jazeera-s-prediction\">Al Jazeera\u2019s prediction<\/h2>\n<p>Last 16.<\/p>\n<p>Norway\u2019s limitations could be exposed early if they encounter a truly elite team.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"norway-s-2026-world-cup-squad\">Norway\u2019s 2026 World Cup squad<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Goalkeepers:<\/strong> Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).<\/p>\n<p><strong> Defenders:<\/strong> Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), \u200cDavid Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo\/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Midfielders:<\/strong> Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo\/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), \u200cMorten \u200cThorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).<\/p>\n<p><strong> Forwards:<\/strong> 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).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Previous World Cup appearances: 3 Best performance: Last 16 (1938, 1998) First appearance: 1938 (France) Top goal scorer: Kjetil Rekdal (2) Most appearances: Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Kjetil Rekdal (7) Player to watch: Erling Haaland FIFA world ranking: 31 Norway have not played at a World Cup since 1998, as a generation of fans &#8230; <a title=\"Norway World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches, squad list\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/05\/26\/norway-world-cup-2026-preview-players-to-watch-group-matches-squad-list\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Norway World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches, squad list\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}