Norway go to the FIFA World Cup 2026 under Stale Solbakken, drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, Tunisia, New Zealand. 1998 third round. First World Cup since 1998. The 2026 squad is built around Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, with manager Stale Solbakken entering the tournament with a Round of 16 or quarter-final ceiling depending on group execution.
Key Takeaways
- Manager: Stale Solbakken
- Top players: Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth
- Group A: Mexico, Tunisia, New Zealand
- World Cup history: 1998 third round. First World Cup since 1998.
- Tournament outlook: Futbolzen rates Norway as a dark horse with a realistic path through to the quarter-finals.
Contents
Norway’s manager and tactical identity
Stale Solbakken leads Norway into the 2026 World Cup. A pragmatic manager with the squad and tactical flexibility to spring upsets. Tactically, Norway are expected to sit deeper, hit on the break, and rely on individual quality from Erling Haaland to unlock games.
Norway’s squad: key players to watch
Norway’s strongest 2026 assets centre on Erling Haaland – the talisman whose form most often dictates results. Martin Odegaard provides a critical secondary threat, with Alexander Sorloth rounding out the spine of the team.
- Erling Haaland – Norway starter, core starter.
- Martin Odegaard – Norway starter, core starter.
- Alexander Sorloth – Norway starter, core starter.
For player-by-player analysis, see our players hub.
Norway’s World Cup history
1998 third round. First World Cup since 1998. World Cup history shows Norway is capable of springing knockout-stage surprises.
For deeper historical context, see our World Cup history hub.
Group A preview: Norway’s path
Norway faces three group-stage matches against Mexico, Tunisia, New Zealand between June 11 and June 24, 2026. A top-two finish requires Norway to take points off at least one of the higher-seeded opponents in the group.
The key match: Norway vs Mexico on Matchday 1, June 11, 2026 — a result here would set the trajectory for the entire group. Full fixture details are on our schedule page, and the full group analysis sits on the Group A preview page.
How far can Norway go at the World Cup 2026?
Futbolzen rates Norway as a dark horse with a realistic path through to the quarter-finals. Round of 16 is the baseline; a quarter-final run would be a genuine success. For our full tournament prediction model and group-by-group probabilities, see the predictions hub.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Norway’s manager at the World Cup 2026?
Stale Solbakken manages Norway for the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Which group is Norway in at the World Cup 2026?
Norway is in Group A alongside Mexico, Tunisia, New Zealand. Full group analysis on our Group A preview.
Who are Norway’s key players?
Norway’s standout players for 2026 are Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth. Erling Haaland is the team’s primary attacking threat and the focal point of the tactical setup.
How many World Cups have Norway won?
1998 third round. First World Cup since 1998.
Can Norway win the World Cup 2026?
A title is a significant outsider bet. Norway is more realistically a knockout-round contender.
What’s next?
Last updated: May 23, 2026 by the Futbolzen editorial team. Squad selections firm up after the May 26, 2026 provisional list deadline. Tell us if you spot something out of date via our Corrections Policy.