Norway
Twenty-eight years is a long time to wait. Norway last appeared at a major tournament in 1998, when they reached the round of 16, and an entire generation grew up watching their best footballers play everywhere except a World Cup. That ends in 2026. Ståle Solbakken steered the qualifying campaign and reshaped his side into a more direct 4-3-3, built with a single purpose: to feed Erling Haaland inside the box. The Manchester City striker, the most prolific in the Premier League, finally has the stage he has never had. Behind him, Arsenal's Martin Ødegaard captains and creates, while Antonio Nusa offers pace down the flank. Drawn in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, Norway will fancy second place and a knockout berth, with an upset of France not beyond them.
Standings · I
After matchday 3 of 3| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FRA | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 9 |
| 2 | NOR | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 | SEN | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | IRQ | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |