WC26 Daily Hub · Team Card

Norway

Group I all level — group not yet started Form not yet played, not yet played, not yet played
Manager: Ståle Solbakken Captain: Martin Ødegaard Projected XI shape: 4-3-3 World Cup history: 4 appearances (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026) | Recent finish: Round of 16 (1998) | Best finish: Round of 16 ('38, '98) Most appearances: John Arne Riise (110) Record goalscorer: Erling Haaland (55)
The Slate

Group-stage fixtures

The System

Tactical profile

If you're looking at Norway's projected XI wondering if your eyes are deceiving you, wonder no further. That is indeed Atlético Madrid target man Alexander Sørloth playing out wide. Manager Ståle Solbakken's instructions typically have Sørloth starting from a wide position with the capacity to box crash, which crucially opens up space for Julian Ryerson to do what he does best: get into final third positions where he can swing lethal crosses into a box with two dominant aerial threats in Sørloth and, of course, Erling Haaland. Having Sørloth out wide gives keeper Ørjan Nyland a direct long-passing outlet who can win in the air and crucially isn't Haaland - freeing up Norway's main man to hang around the goal. Out of possession, expect to see Kristoffer Ajer filling in the space left by Ryerson while the wingers and midfield also drop back to cover, allowing Haaland to preserve his energy to make runs in on goal.

The creative heart of this Norway team is Martin Ødegaard. Where Norway's more direct threat will come from wide, with Ryerson's crossing and Antonio Nusa's 1v1 work out on the left, Ødegaard offers a subtler threat, sitting in the pockets between the opponent's back line and midfield and working chances through lines of pressure and into the space behind. And if this isn't enough, there's always Oscar Bobb, Jørgen Strand Larsen or Jens Petter Hauge off the bench.

Key player

How can it be anyone other than Erling Haaland? He's spent enough time breaking goalscoring records for fun domestically, and this will be the first opportunity Haaland has to take on a World Cup. Norway are a popular dark horse pick at this tournament. If they can make a deep run, Haaland will surely be a favourite to top the scoring charts.

Rising star

Antonio Nusa reaches another gear when he puts on the Norway shirt, possibly because his club environment at RB Leipzig allows him less license to freelance. With the national team, the speedy 21-year old is given more time and space to do what he does best - embarrass defenders 1v1 with his blinding pace and spellbinding skill with the ball at his feet.

Fun fact

Patrick Berg is the sixth member of his family to play for FK Bodø/Glimt, and the fourth to represent Norway internationally.

The Names

Squad by position

Goalkeepers
Ørjan Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik
Central defenders
Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, Leo Skiri Østigård, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langås
Wide defenders
Julian Ryerson, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, David Møller Wolfe, Fredrik André Bjørkan
Defensive midfield
Sander Berge, Patrick Berg
Central midfield
Fredrik Aursnes, Kristian Thorstvedt, Morten Thorsby
Attacking midfield
Martin Ødegaard, Thelo Aasgaard
Wide forwards
Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Andreas Schjelderup
Central forwards
Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Jørgen Strand Larsen