28 years. That’s how lengthy Norway soccer crew have been ready for this qualification for the . It isn’t just a few dry, historic statistic; it’s a gaping wound for a soccer nation that has spent the previous couple of years watching Erling Haaland rewrite the European document books whereas their nationwide crew remained marooned on the skin wanting in.
Not this time. Ståle Solbakken’s aspect breezed by UEFA qualifying with an ideal document. Eight matches, eight wins. That run included a ruthless dismantling of , 3-0 in Oslo and a thumping 4-1 victory on the San Siro. Dominant doesn’t fairly cowl it.
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It is a squad constructed otherwise. Spanning eight European leagues with a mean age of simply 26.4, there’s a distinct Premier League backbone giving them actual pedigree.
Norway Soccer Group Squad for 2026:
The Squad: Nyland, Selvik, , , Østigård, Møller-Wolf, Bjørkan, Heggem, Bjørtuft, Falchener, , Berg, , Ryerson, Holmgren Pedersen, , Horn Myhre, Ødegaard, Haaland, Sørloth, , , , Daland, .
Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Norway Soccer Group:
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 7: Erling Haaland #9 of Norway appears to be like on earlier than the worldwide pleasant match towards at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium on June 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photograph by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Photos)
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Every little thing begins with Haaland. At 25, he arrives at his first main match as his nation’s all-time high scorer, boasting 55 worldwide objectives. 16 of these got here within the qualifying marketing campaign alone. No person in world soccer hits more durable contained in the penalty field. Proper behind him is Martin Ødegaard, recent from captaining to their first Premier League title in over twenty years. When he’s on tune, the previous wunderkid function on a completely completely different stage.
Solbakken has severe depth up entrance, too. affords a bodily, clever different after prolific spells in La Liga with , , and . On the flanks, ’s 20-year-old starlet Antonio Nusa has the uncooked tempo and aptitude to be the breakout participant of the match, whereas Oscar Bobb provides real unpredictability.
However the wheels might come off if accidents chew. Ødegaard’s season was stricken by health points, forcing him to overlook the March friendlies. With out their skipper, the inventive effectively runs dry immediately. Whereas the remainder of the midfield engine room boasts loads of trade, it desperately lacks top-tier guile. Get uncovered there by a heavyweight opponent, and it will get ugly rapidly.
Predicted Finest XI and Formation:
Solbakken has chopped and altered between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3 just lately, however the latter affords much-needed safety in the midst of the park.
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Finest XI (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller-Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Thorstvedt; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Match Prediction:
The fixture listing has been type. An opener towards match debutants Iraq in Foxborough ought to yield three factors, adopted by a tough however winnable encounter towards at MetLife Stadium. Six factors from these two matches make the ultimate group recreation towards ’s a possible lifeless rubber.
1 / 4-final spot is absolutely the ceiling for this group. A extra life like punter would again a round-of-16 exit towards a conventional European powerhouse just like the or , however with Haaland main the road, no supervisor within the draw will wish to face them within the knockouts.