Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Squad, Manager, Fixtures & Tournament History

The wait is over. After 28 years away from the world's biggest stage, Norway are back at the FIFA World Cup™ — and they have announced their return in emphatic style. A flawless qualifying campaign under coach Ståle Solbakken, driven by the irresistible goal-scoring of Erling Haaland and the creative brilliance of Martin Ødegaard, has reignited belief that this Norwegian generation could be something special.

For a nation that has spent nearly three decades watching the World Cup from afar, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States represents a long-awaited opportunity — and many believe this squad has the quality to make it count.

The Coach: Ståle Solbakken

There is a personal dimension to Solbakken's achievement in leading Norway back to the World Cup. He was there the last time, as a player — earning 58 caps for the national team and featuring three times at France 1998 before going on to represent his country at UEFA EURO 2000. He knows what it means to wear that shirt at a major tournament.

His coaching career began at Hamarkameratene in 2002 and took him through two successful spells at FC Copenhagen, interrupted by stints at Köln and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He took over as Norway head coach in December 2020, replacing Lars Lagerbäck, and has since built a side capable of competing with the best in Europe. Getting Norway to a World Cup is the crowning achievement of his managerial career so far — but the real work begins in North America.

Norway's 2026 World Cup Fixtures & Group

16 June: Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname v Norway – Boston Stadium

22 June: Norway v Senegal – New York New Jersey Stadium

26 June: Norway v France – Boston Stadium

How Norway Qualified

Norway were among just four teams across the entire global qualifying process to go through their campaign with a perfect record — winning all eight matches in UEFA Group I. They became only the ninth European side ever to achieve a 100% qualifying record.

The campaign began with a 5-0 demolition of Moldova and never really let up. Israel, Italy and Estonia were all beaten, before Norway produced one of the most jaw-dropping results of the entire qualifying round — an 11-0 hammering of Moldova, the joint-biggest winning margin of any team in World Cup 2026 qualifying. They wrapped up the campaign in memorable fashion with a 4-1 victory at the San Siro against Italy. Haaland contributed 16 goals across the campaign — a staggering individual return.

Norway's World Cup Record

Confederation

UEFA

Best Finish

Round of 16 (1938*, 1998)

Last Appearance

France 1998 (Round of 16)

First Appearance

France 1938

Total Appearances

4 (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026)

Consecutive Qualifications

1

Overall Record

P8 W2 D3 L3 F7 A8

*At the 1938 finals, all 16 teams began in the Round of 16.

Norway's Best World Cup: France 1998

What makes the 28-year absence sting all the more is that Norway's finest World Cup came just before it began. At France 1998, coach Egil Olsen's side collected five points from their group games against Morocco, Scotland and Brazil to advance to the Round of 16 — their best-ever tournament showing. There, they met Italy for the third time at a World Cup, and for the third time they lost — Christian Vieri's goal the difference in a tight match in Marseille. A tournament full of pride, but ending in familiar heartbreak.

Norway's Last World Cup: France 1998

France 1998 remains Norway's most recent appearance at the finals — until now. Olsen had a talented squad at his disposal, heavily populated by players performing at the highest level in England: Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjørnebye, Ronny Johnsen, Øyvind Leonhardsen and Ole Gunnar Solskjær among them. Solbakken himself was part of that group, alongside domestic stalwarts like Jostein Flo and Mini Jakobsen. With 66 caps to his name, Kjetil Rekdal was the most experienced figure in the party.

Norway's First World Cup: France 1938

Norway arrived at the 1938 World Cup carrying genuine optimism, having claimed bronze at the Berlin Olympic football tournament two years earlier with largely the same group of players. They were drawn against Italy in the Round of 16 — a formidable opponent. After falling behind, Arne Brustad equalised late in normal time to force extra time, but Italy's prolific Silvio Piola struck the decisive blow to end Norway's debut. A spirited showing, even in defeat.

Norway's All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Kjetil Rekdal is the only Norwegian to have scored more than once at the World Cup — and the only one to have netted at two separate editions. His first came against Mexico in the group stage of USA 1994, latching onto a Jan Åge Fjørtoft through ball to slot home with five minutes remaining. Four years later, he delivered the most famous moment in Norwegian World Cup history with a last-gasp penalty against Brazil.

Few would back against Haaland making his own mark in North America — and Rekdal's long-standing record could well fall before the group stage is out.

Norway's Most Capped World Cup Players

Three players share the record for most World Cup appearances in a Norway shirt: Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjørnebye and Kjetil Rekdal — each featuring in all three group-stage matches at USA 1994 and all four games at France 1998, giving them seven appearances apiece. In total, eleven players represented Norway at both tournaments.

Norway's Most Memorable World Cup Moment

Nothing in Norwegian World Cup history comes close to six extraordinary minutes against Brazil at France 1998. Needing a victory to advance, and facing a Brazilian side that included Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Ronaldo, Norway were still goalless with ten minutes remaining when Bebeto put the Seleção ahead — seemingly ending Norwegian hopes.

But within five minutes, Tore André Flo had muscled his way past Junior Baiano to level the scores. Norway still needed one more. As the clock wound down, Flo was brought down in the area by the same defender, and referee Esfandiar Baharmast pointed to the spot. Rekdal stepped up in the 89th minute and drove the ball home. Norway were through — and one of the World Cup's great late drama moments had been written.

Norway's Biggest World Cup Wins

Both of Norway's World Cup victories have come by a single goal, and both have featured Rekdal as the match-winner. At USA 1994, he slotted past Jorge Campos to secure a 1-0 opening win over Mexico. At France 1998, his penalty against Brazil repeated the scoreline in the most dramatic of fashions. Two narrow wins — but both utterly unforgettable in their own way.