Norway at FIFA World Cup 2026
Squad, Fixtures, Odds & Predictions
Norway arrives at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the tournament’s most-talked-about dark horse, ending a 28-year absence from the world’s biggest stage.
Led by Ballon d’Or contender Erling Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, Ståle Solbakken’s side qualified with a perfect record after destroying Italy 4-1 at the San Siro.
Drawn into Group I alongside France, Côte d’Ivoire, and an intercontinental playoff winner, Norway face a daunting task, but a team that scored 37 goals in qualifying has earned every right to be taken seriously.
Quick Betting Snapshot
| Market | Sportsbet.io Odds |
|---|---|
| Norway to win the World Cup 2026 | +2500 (26.00) |
| Norway to qualify from Group I | -110 |
| Norway to win Group I | +400 (5.00) |
| Norway to reach the quarter-finals | +275 |
Norway’s Tournament Context: A 4th World Cup Appearance
Norway are making their 4th appearance at a FIFA World Cup and their first since 1998, ending the longest absence of any qualifying European nation outside of Italy. The Norway national football team’s previous appearances came in 1938, 1994, and 1998, with their best-ever finish being the Round of 16 at France 1998, where they lost 1-0 to Italy after famously beating Brazil 2-1 in the group stage.
In 1998, the team was built around Tore André Flo, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and Henning Berg. The 2026 squad is built around a generational forward and one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, making this comfortably the most talented Norway side ever to reach a World Cup.
Norway currently sits at No. 28 in the FIFA world rankings, having dominated UEFA qualifying Group I. They finished with 24 points from a possible 24 (eight wins from eight) and scored a European-best 37 goals, conceding just five.
Head coach Ståle Solbakken has been in charge since 2020 and has overseen the transformation of a perennial underachiever into a genuine tournament threat. The 58-year-old’s preferred shape is a 4-3-3 that can shift into a 4-4-2 in possession, prioritising direct attacking play through Haaland, set-piece organisation, and counter-attacking pace through wingers Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb.
The narrative is unmistakable: this is a Norway generation that finally lived up to its potential. After missing Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, Euro 2024, and several other major tournaments where Haaland was already a global star, the wait is finally over.
Road to the World Cup 2026
Norway qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in dramatic fashion by completing a perfect campaign in UEFA Group I, sealing top spot with a stunning 4-1 win over Italy at the San Siro in their final qualifying match.
Qualifying record: 8 wins from 8 matches, 37 goals scored, 5 conceded.
- Standout result: The 4-1 demolition of Italy in Milan in November 2025, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to send Norway through and condemn the four-time World Cup champions to the playoffs.
- Best home performance: An 11-1 win over Moldova at Ullevaal Stadion in September 2025, with Haaland scoring five goals in a single match.
- Top scorer during qualifying: Erling Haaland (16 goals in 8 matches), the highest tally by any player in UEFA qualifying.
The most significant developments during the qualifying cycle were Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb breaking into the first team after returning from a long injury layoff, the emergence of teenage winger Antonio Nusa as a starting option, and Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid) consistently complementing Haaland’s goal threat.
Andreas Schjelderup was omitted from the final squad following a legal conviction in Denmark, which Solbakken confirmed was a personal decision based on the player’s status.
Norway Full Squad List
Provisional squad. Final 26 confirmed by FIFA on 2 June 2026.
The provisional 26-player Norway World Cup 2026 squad below is based on Solbakken’s most recent call-ups and projected selections from FotMob, Olympics.com, and FOX Sports.
Goalkeepers
| # | Player | Position | Age | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ørjan Nyland | GK | 35 | Sevilla (La Liga) | 27 | 0 |
| 12 | Egil Selvik | GK | 30 | Sarpsborg 08 (Eliteserien) | 6 | 0 |
| 22 | Sten Grytebust | GK | 36 | Lyngby (Danish Superliga) | 9 | 0 |
Defenders
| # | Player | Position | Age | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Julian Ryerson | RB | 28 | Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga) | 27 | 1 |
| 3 | Kristoffer Ajer | CB | 27 | Brentford (Premier League) | 41 | 1 |
| 4 | Leo Østigård | CB | 26 | Stade Rennais (Ligue 1) | 22 | 0 |
| 5 | Stian Gregersen | CB | 30 | Brest (Ligue 1) | 17 | 0 |
| 6 | Torbjørn Heggem | CB | 26 | West Bromwich Albion (Championship) | 9 | 1 |
| 13 | Marius Høibråten | CB | 30 | Union Berlin (Bundesliga) | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Andreas Hanche-Olsen | CB | 28 | Mainz (Bundesliga) | 19 | 0 |
| 15 | Fredrik Bjørkan | LB | 27 | Bodø/Glimt (Eliteserien) | 8 | 0 |
| 16 | David Møller Wolfe | LB | 23 | AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie) | 11 | 0 |
Midfielders
| # | Player | Position | Age | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Patrick Berg | DM | 28 | Bodø/Glimt (Eliteserien) | 21 | 0 |
| 8 | Sander Berge | CM | 28 | Fulham (Premier League) | 51 | 2 |
| 10 | Martin Ødegaard (c) | AM | 27 | Arsenal (Premier League) | 60 | 11 |
| 11 | Felix Horn Myhre | AM | 25 | Brann (Eliteserien) | 9 | 1 |
| 17 | Morten Thorsby | CM | 30 | Genoa (Serie A) | 38 | 5 |
| 18 | Fredrik Aursnes | CM | 30 | Benfica (Liga Portugal) | 26 | 3 |
| 19 | Thelo Aasgaard | CM | 24 | Rangers (Scottish Premiership) | 11 | 4 |
| 20 | Mats Møller Dæhli | AM | 30 | Genk (Belgian Pro League) | 32 | 4 |
Forwards
| # | Player | Position | Age | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Erling Haaland | ST | 25 | Manchester City (Premier League) | 48 | 55 |
| 21 | Alexander Sørloth | ST | 30 | Atlético Madrid (La Liga) | 51 | 17 |
| 23 | Antonio Nusa | LW | 21 | RB Leipzig (Bundesliga) | 16 | 4 |
| 24 | Oscar Bobb | RW | 22 | Manchester City (Premier League) | 8 | 1 |
| 25 | Jørgen Strand Larsen | ST | 26 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League) | 13 | 4 |
| 26 | Aune Heggebø | ST | 24 | Brann (Eliteserien) | 6 | 1 |
Key Norway World Cup 2026 Players to Watch
Erling Haaland (Striker, Manchester City)
The 25-year-old Manchester City forward is the most lethal goalscorer in world football and the player around whom Norway’s entire tournament is built. Haaland enters the World Cup with 55 international goals in just 48 caps, the most prolific ratio of any active international player.
His qualifying campaign produced 16 goals in 8 matches, including a five-goal haul against Moldova and a brace at the San Siro that sealed qualification. He is the second favourite for the Golden Boot at +750, behind only Kylian Mbappé.
Martin Ødegaard (Captain, Attacking Midfielder, Arsenal)
The Norway captain and Arsenal’s title-winning playmaker is the creative engine of Solbakken’s side. Ødegaard recorded 11 goals and 8 assists for Arsenal in 2024-25 as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years, and he has continued that form in 2025-26.
With 11 international goals and a free-kick that puts him among Europe’s best dead-ball takers, Ødegaard is Norway’s most important playmaker since the Solskjær era and one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.
Alexander Sørloth (Striker, Atlético Madrid)
The 30-year-old Atlético Madrid forward complements Haaland perfectly, often deployed alongside him in a 4-4-2 against weaker opposition or as a like-for-like replacement.
Sørloth has 17 international goals and contributed two crucial headers in the Estonia qualifier that helped seal Norway’s place.
Why bettors should care: Sørloth’s aerial threat from set pieces gives Norway a second route to goals beyond Haaland, and he is priced at +280 to score at the tournament.
Antonio Nusa (Left Winger, RB Leipzig)
The 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger is the breakout star of this Norway generation. Nusa’s pace, dribbling, and product give Solbakken a genuine one-vs-one threat down the left flank, and his recent Bundesliga form has been outstanding. He is the player most likely to give France’s defence problems in Norway’s final group stage fixture.
Sander Berge (Central Midfielder, Fulham)
The Fulham midfielder is the tactical glue of Norway’s system. Berge provides the defensive cover and ball recycling that allows Ødegaard to play higher up the pitch, and he has been a model of consistency throughout qualifying.
Why bettors should care: Berge’s set-piece deliveries provide assist opportunities that bettors often overlook in player markets.
Tactical Analysis: How Norway Will Play
Solbakken’s Norway plays a 4-3-3 that frequently shifts to a 4-4-2 in possession, with Haaland leading the line and Ødegaard floating between the lines as an attacking midfielder.
It is a direct, vertical system that prioritises getting the ball to Haaland as quickly as possible, supplemented by wide combinations through Nusa and Bobb (or Sørloth as a second striker).
Pressing intensity: Medium. Solbakken is not a high-press devotee in the mould of Klopp or Marsch. Norway press in coordinated triggers when the opportunity is right, but they are equally comfortable sitting in a compact mid-block and inviting opponents forward to spring counter-attacks.
Defensive line: Medium-deep. With Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) and Leo Østigård (Stade Rennais) likely to be the centre-back pairing, Norway will not push the defensive line aggressively against quality opposition.
Attacking patterns: Direct play into Haaland, with Ødegaard supplying through balls from a central position. Set pieces are a major scoring source, with Norway converting nine of their 37 qualifying goals from dead-ball situations. The wide channels through Nusa and Bobb give a secondary route to goals when Haaland is double-marked.
Defensive vulnerabilities: The biggest single weakness is the goalkeeping position. Ørjan Nyland is solid but plays second-choice at Sevilla, and Norway lacks a top-five-league starter between the sticks. The full-back positions also lack elite quality, with David Møller Wolfe (AZ Alkmaar) and Julian Ryerson (Dortmund) potentially exposed by elite wide forwards.
What this means for betting markets: Norway matches lean towards open, transition-heavy affairs that produce goals at both ends. Over 2.5 goals has hit in 7 of Norway’s last 10 competitive matches, making it a strong angle for the France and Côte d’Ivoire fixtures. Both teams to score has hit in 6 of the last 10 matches, particularly when Norway plays opposition with attacking quality of their own. Follow the prices live with in-play betting.
Norway World Cup 2026 Fixtures and Group I Analysis
Norway are in Group I alongside France, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Intercontinental Playoff Path 2 winner (Bolivia, Suriname, or Iraq). All three group-stage matches are played in the United States, split between MetLife Stadium and Gillette Stadium. View the full fixture schedule below.
| Match | Date | Kick-off (Local / GMT) | Venue | City | Odds (1X2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway vs. Intercontinental Playoff 2 Winner | Tue 16 June 2026 | 18:00 ET / 22:00 GMT | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA | -500 / +650 / +1200 |
| Norway vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Mon 22 June 2026 | 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT (23 Jun) | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ | +120 / +250 / +220 |
| Norway vs. France | Fri 26 June 2026 | 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT (27 Jun) | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ | +375 / +260 / -140 |
Group I verdict: France enter as heavy Group I favourites at -200 to top the group, with Norway (+400) the clear second favourites. Côte d’Ivoire (+475) are the reigning AFCON champions under Emerse Faé and physically formidable through Simon Adingra and Sébastien Haller, while the Intercontinental Playoff Path 2 winner (+5000+) is the clear outsider regardless of which side advances from the March 2026 playoff. Compare every side in the World Cup Groups betting hub.
The standout fixture is the Haaland vs. Mbappé clash in the final group game, one of the most-anticipated matches anywhere in the tournament group stage.
The pick of the group-stage matches for betting value is Norway vs. Côte d’Ivoire at MetLife Stadium. This is effectively a winner-takes-second fixture, with both sides expected to beat the playoff team and lose to France. Look at both teams to score and over 2.5 goals as a strong combined play given both nations possess elite attacking quality.
Norway World Cup 2026 Betting Markets and Angles
Outright Markets
| Market | Norway World Cup 2026 Odds | Sportsbet.io Take |
|---|---|---|
| To win the World Cup 2026 | +2500 (26.00) | Long shot with appeal given Haaland factor |
| To reach the final | +1200 | Worth a small play if knockout draw is kind |
| To reach the semi-finals | +600 | Best outright value for a dark horse |
| To reach the quarter-finals | +275 | Strong play |
| To win Group I | +400 (5.00) | Worth a play if Norway beats France |
| To qualify from group | -110 | Format expansion makes this the safest market |
| Stage of elimination: Round of 16 | +220 | Most likely tournament outcome |
Browse the full outright World Cup winner odds to build your tournament bets.
Player Markets
Erling Haaland is the centrepiece of Norway’s player prop slate:
- Norway top tournament scorer: -300 (overwhelming favourite)
- Golden Boot: +750 (second favourite behind Mbappé)
- To score 5+ goals at the tournament: +250
- To score in every Norway World Cup 2026 group match: +500
Martin Ødegaard is the alternative attacking pick. Ødegaard most assists at the tournament is priced at +800, and his free-kick threat makes him a value bet for goals from outside the box. Alexander Sørloth to score 2+ goals at the tournament is priced at +320 and represents value for a striker who has scored 17 times in 51 caps.
Match Markets to Watch
The standout match-level betting angle is Norway to win and over 2.5 goals against the Intercontinental Playoff 2 Winner in the opener. Norway scored 37 goals in qualifying, the new format opener should see them play with attacking freedom, and Haaland will be hungry for an early statement.
Haaland to score and Norway to win has been a consistently profitable angle throughout qualifying. He scored or assisted in seven of the eight qualifying matches, with Norway winning every time he found the net. Follow the shifting prices through live in-play betting once the action gets under way.
Specials and Novelty
Sportsbet.io is running tournament-long Norway specials including:
- Haaland and Mbappé to both score in the France vs. Norway fixture
- Erling Haaland to win the World Cup Golden Boot
- Norway to win their first ever World Cup knockout match
- Norway to reach the quarter-finals at their first tournament in 28 years
Norway World Cup Predictions and Sportsbet.io Verdict
Realistic ceiling: Semi-finals. Norway have the world’s most lethal striker, an Arsenal title-winning captain, and a perfect qualifying campaign behind them. If Haaland fires and the knockout draw avoids Spain, Brazil, and France until the semi-finals, a final-four appearance is genuinely possible.
Realistic floor: Group stage exit. Drawing France in the final group game means Norway needs at least four points from their first two matches. If they slip against Côte d’Ivoire or the playoff team, an early exit is a real risk despite the format’s eight third-placed qualification spots.
Most likely outcome: Round of 16 exit. Norway finish second in Group I behind France, advance through a manageable Round of 32, and bow out against a Pot 1 team in the Round of 16. That would still represent a significant achievement for the country’s first World Cup in 28 years.
Sportsbet.io’s recommended bet: Norway to qualify from Group I at -110 is the cleanest value on the board. The format helps even if they finish third, the squad has Premier League quality throughout, and Solbakken’s tactical setup travels well in knockout football. For higher-payoff options, Norway to reach the quarter-finals at +275 is strong value, and Erling Haaland Golden Boot at +750 is the standout player prop on the page given his qualifying form.
Norway World Cup 2026 FAQ
When does Norway play their first World Cup 2026 match?Norway plays their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against the Intercontinental Playoff Path 2 winner on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kick-off is 18:00 ET / 22:00 GMT.
Which group is Norway in at the World Cup 2026?Norway is in Group I at the FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside France, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Intercontinental Playoff Path 2 winner.
Who is Norway’s head coach at the World Cup 2026?Ståle Solbakken is Norway’s head coach. The 58-year-old has been in charge since 2020 and has overseen the most successful era of Norwegian football since the 1990s, including their perfect qualifying campaign for World Cup 2026.
What are Norway’s odds to win the World Cup 2026?Norway is priced at +2500 (26.00) to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sportsbet.io. To qualify from Group I, Norway is -110, and to reach the quarter-finals, +275.
Who is Norway’s star player at the World Cup 2026?Erling Haaland is Norway’s star player and the world’s most lethal goalscorer. The 25-year-old Manchester City forward scored 16 goals in qualifying and is the second favourite to win the World Cup Golden Boot. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) captains the side and Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid) is the other key attacking name.
Has Norway ever won the World Cup?No, Norway has never won the FIFA World Cup. Their best finish remains the Round of 16 at France 1998, where they lost 1-0 to Italy after famously beating Brazil 2-1 in the group stage.
How many times has Norway been to the World Cup?The 2026 tournament will be Norway’s 4th appearance at the FIFA World Cup, following 1938, 1994, and 1998. The 28-year absence between 1998 and 2026 is one of the longest in modern European football for a competitive nation.
Where can I bet on Norway at the World Cup 2026?You can bet on every Norway World Cup 2026 market on Sportsbet.io, including outright winners, group qualification, match results, player props on Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, and a wide range of Norway specials. Live in-play betting is available on all Norway matches.
Bet on Norway at the World Cup 2026 with Sportsbet.io
Sportsbet.io offers the most comprehensive Norway World Cup 2026 betting markets, from outright winners and group qualification to player props on Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa, and the entire Norway World Cup squad 2026. Live in-play betting, instant withdrawals, and the best Norway World Cup odds on every Norway fixture, all in one place.
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