Haaland and Odegaard lead Norway into first World Cup in 28 years with genuine ambition

Norway will compete at a World Cup for the first time since 1998 after topping their qualifying group ahead of Italy, with Erling Haaland scoring 16 of the team’s 37 goals across eight matches. Stale Solbakken’s side face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage, with games split between Boston and New York state.

More than 30,000 Norwegians gathered in freezing temperatures in Oslo to celebrate qualification, and the mood inside the country has since shifted from relief to genuine expectation. Former Norway and Premier League striker Jan Åge Fjørtoft captured the national mood bluntly: “The optimism in Norway is big. We are just discussing who we are going to meet in the final. That is the boiling point in Norway right now. I find myself being the one to hold back a bit.”

Haaland’s output in qualifying — 16 goals in eight games — has fuelled that confidence, but observers are quick to point out that Norway are more than a one-man team. VG Sporten journalist Steffen Stenersen highlighted the depth behind the two headline names. “Erling and Martin Odegaard are world class players,” he said. “But we have four or five players below those who would have been the big stars in Norway 10 years ago, like Antonio Nusa, Sander Berge of Fulham. We have four, five, six exciting players behind them to make a good XI. We are a more well-balanced team — not perfect, but one that could beat most of them on a good day.”

Odegaard’s role as captain adds a further dimension. The Arsenal midfielder lifted the Premier League title and brings organisational authority that complements Haaland’s raw goalscoring threat. Fjørtoft described Haaland as “cartoonish” in his mannerisms but left no doubt about his destructive quality. “Erling is world class, he is the greatest footballer we have ever had,” he said. “Martin is a captain who has lifted the Premier League. If Erling scores five or six goals in a World Cup then we know we can go far.”

Norway’s last World Cup appearance ended in the round of 16, where they were beaten by Italy. That same Italy side was comfortably brushed aside twice during this qualifying campaign, a result that has recalibrated what Norwegians believe is possible. Thousands of supporters are expected to travel to the United States, with many viewing this tournament as a once-in-a-generation chance to see their country on the biggest stage in football.

“It was kind of expected but it was also expected that we would qualify for the last Euros and we didn’t — that has been our history in the last 25 years,” Stenersen said. “We are super happy to be there and as we are approaching the World Cup people are coming to terms that we are going to be there and not just watch the others having all the fun.”