Norway’s long absence from major international tournaments is one of the more surprising droughts in European football. It’s now been 25 years since their last appearance—Euro 2000, to be exact. That means Erling Haaland has never seen his country play in a World Cup or European Championship, and Martin Ødegaard was just two years old the last time they did.
But that could finally change soon.
Norway has started their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in strong form, collecting six points from their first two matches. Under Ståle Solbakken, they appear to have turned a corner. For the first time in a generation, the team looks balanced, talented, and ambitious enough to return to the world stage.
Why This Could Be Norway’s Time:
World-Class Firepower: With Haaland up front, they have a striker who can single-handedly win matches. Add Ødegaard’s creativity in midfield, and you’ve got a world-class spine.
Depth of Young Talent: Beyond the headline names, the emergence of players like Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, and others gives Norway genuine squad depth—something they’ve lacked in past campaigns.
Solid Management: Solbakken has brought structure and belief to the team. His experience, along with the growth of players in top European leagues, has given Norway the tactical edge they previously lacked.
Favourable Group: Italy is the only real heavyweight in their qualifying group. If Norway can avoid slip-ups against the other teams and get something from their fixtures against the Italians, automatic qualification is a realistic target.
A New Era?
This is arguably Norway’s best generation since the 1990s, when they featured players like Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Tore André Flo, and John Carew. Now, with a squad full of elite talent, playing week in and week out in the top five European leagues, the expectation is no longer just about “building for the future.” It’s about delivering now.
If they manage to qualify, the 2026 World Cup in North America could mark the beginning of a new golden era for Norwegian football.
And for fans who’ve waited a quarter of a century—it can’t come soon enough.
