After almost a 30-year absence, Norway returned to the World Cup finals by reaching the knockout stages.
They marked their return to World Cup football with a 4-1 win over Norway. It was a big moment for the nation and Erling Haaland, who scored two of the goals. They secured their spot in the knockout stages after their second match, a 3-2 win over Senegal. Again, Haaland scored twice.
Norway did lose their final game, a battle for top spot against France. But Stale Solbakken had rotated his side heavily with an eye on the knockout stages.
Get all the latest France stats as the tournament unfolds, plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the European side here.
Norway World Cup 2026 route to the final
Norway will face Group E runners-up Ivory Coast in the round-of-32, a match scheduled for 6pm (UK time) on 30th June. Should Norway get through that, they’ll face the winner of Brazil vs Japan on 5th July. Norway’s potential quarter-final match will take place on 11th July, with the semi-final on 15th July. The World Cup final is on 19th July at 8pm (UK time).
READ MORE: Get the latest Norway World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Norway World Cup 2026 Stats
Norway key players for World Cup 2026
Norway top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Erling Haaland
- Key stat: Erling Haaland has scored four goals in his two World Cup games so far.
Of course, Erling Haaland will be Norway’s main goalscoring threat at the World Cup this summer. Haaland is Norway’s top scorer of all time at just 25, finding the net 59 times in 52 caps and averaging 1.13 goals per game for his nation. This is Haaland’s first major international tournament and, if he has a successful competition, it would cement his place as the elite striker in world football.
Norway primary playmaker: Martin Odegaard
- Key stat: Martin Odegaard provided seven assists in 2026 World Cup qualifying, more than any other player for Norway.
Martin Odegaard is not only the captain of Norway but also the player charged with being their main creative outlet. He was key to their qualifying campaign, providing seven assists as well as contributing a goal along the way. This has continued a successful international career for Odegaard, who has five goals and 20 assists for his country, collecting 70 caps.
Norway card magnets & top tacklers: Julian Ryerson
- Key stat: Julian Ryerson committed more fouls than any other Norway player in qualifying with 13, while making eight successful tackles.
Julian Ryerson has been an all-action full back for both Borussia Dortmund and Norway over the past few years and his ability at making successful tackles was key for his country in securing their passage to the 2026 World Cup. Ryerson was the player that committed the most fouls in qualifying too, being penalised 13 times in eight games. He’s the first-choice right-back for Norway this summer and he should be watched for both successful tackles and bookings.
Norway rising star: Antonio Nusa
Antonio Nusa made his debut for Norway in August 2023 and has since won 27 caps for his country, scoring eight goals. He’s starred for RB Leipzig since his arrival in 2024, starting 37 games and scoring four times. This could prove to be a breakout tournament for Nusa and he could well live up to his billing as the ‘Norwegian Neymar’.
STAND-OUT STAT: Norway scored more goals than any other team in the Uefa qualifying section with 37 – of which Erling Haaland scored 16.
Set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Erling Haaland
- Free kicks: Martin Odegaard
- Corners: Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes
Norway tactical analysis and formation
Norway team stats (average per game at World Cup 2026):
- Corners: 4.67
- Shots on target: 5.33
- Shots on target conceded: 4.67
- Offsides: 0.33
Ståle Solbakken has a talented squad to pick his starting line up from. The likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard fall into the world class bracket, whilst the likes of Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth and Sander Berge are all established players within the top five leagues in Europe. The defence has plenty of talent, with Leo Ostigard, Julian Ryerson and Kristoffer Ajer all playing for high profile sides but the one area of weakness, and one that could stop them reaching the latter stages of the tournament, is the lack of genuine depth beyond the starting eleven.
Get the latest Norway World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Norway manager analysis
Stale Solbakken has been Norway manager since 2020, when he replaced Lars Lagerback following his resignation. His record since his appointment has been impressive, with Norway winning 31 of their 52 games played under the 58-year-old. Solbakken enjoyed a successful playing career, with spells in Norway, England and Denmark as well as winning 58 caps for Norway.
This will be the first major international tournament that Solbakken has led his nation into and will be a big test as to his credentials at the top level.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ståle Solbakken | Norway | 58 | 34 | 12 | 12 | 132 | 57 | 58.62% |
Norway World Cup FAQs
Have Norway ever won the World Cup?
Norway have never won the World Cup, with two Round of 16 appearances being their best finishes.
Where did Norway finish in the last World Cup?
Norway did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with 2026 being their first appearance since 1998.
Who will be Norway captain at the World Cup?
Martin Odegaard will captain Norway at the World Cup and has held the armband since March 2021.
Who is Norway’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Erling Haaland is Norway’s all-time top goalscorer at the World Cup, with four goals.
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