Norway
Scandinavian nation; football team back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Last refreshed: 1 April 2026
Can Haaland deliver at a World Cup after Norway's 28-year absence from the tournament?
Latest on Norway
- Has Norway qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
- Yes. Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament.
- Is Erling Haaland playing at the 2026 World Cup?
- Yes. Haaland is Norway's key striker and scored 10 goals during qualifying. It is his first World Cup.
- When did Norway last play at a World Cup?
- France 1998, where they famously beat Brazil 2-1 in the group stage before being eliminated in the round of 16.
- Who is the captain of the Norway national football team?
- Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal midfielder, captains Norway at the 2026 World Cup.
Background
Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and were drawn into Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq — the same Iraq who assembled through closed airspace to reach the tournament.
It is Norway's first World Cup since France 1998, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament. The squad is built around Erling Haaland, arguably the most prolific striker in world football, and captained by Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal).
Norway's 1998 World Cup campaign included a famous **2-1 victory over Brazil** in the group stage. Despite consistent qualification campaigns in subsequent cycles, they repeatedly fell short, often finishing behind elite European sides. The **2026 qualifying campaign** benefited from a golden generation: Haaland scored 10 qualifying goals, while Ødegaard pulled creative strings from midfield. Norway also qualified without losing a home match across the entire campaign.
Group I is a genuine test. France are amongst the pre-tournament favourites and world champions in 2018. Senegal reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and were African champions in 2022. Norway will need Haaland to perform at his club level if they are to progress beyond the group stage. Their return to the World Cup stage after nearly three decades makes them one of the tournament's compelling storylines.
