NOR
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP I · POT 3

Norway
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Ståle Solbakken · Norwegian head coach since 2020. Multiple Danish Superliga winner at FC Copenhagen — secured Norway's first World Cup in 28 years. Attack-minded with a 4-3-3 base.
MD1 Jun 16 vs Iraq MD2 Jun 22 vs Senegal MD3 Jun 26 vs France
3th World Cup appearance · best finish: Round of 16 (1938, 1998)
26
Squad size
26.3
Avg. age
22 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 26
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Ståle Solbakken's Norway announced their 26-man squad on May 21. This is Norway's first World Cup since France 1998 — a 28-year wait — and the long-overdue international showcase for captain Martin Ødegaard and world-elite striker Erling Haaland.

Ødegaard (Arsenal) and Haaland (Manchester City) anchor the spine, supported by next-gen talents Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig, 20) and Oscar Bobb (Fulham, 22). Veterans Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid) and Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) bring leadership. The squad is overwhelmingly Europe-based, with Eliteserien representation centred on Bodø/Glimt.

Group I pits Norway against Iraq (June 16), Senegal (June 22) and France (June 26). Surpassing the 1938 and 1998 Round of 16 exits — and reaching a first-ever quarter-final — is the realistic target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Solbakken's preferred 4-3-3. Haaland leads with Nusa and Bobb as wingers, Ødegaard floats between a No.10 and right 8 role, and Berge plus Berg sit deep.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

10
CAM · MF
Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal · 27 · Premier League
67 caps · 4G WC debut
Captain & creative hub
CAPTAIN
9
ST · FW
Erling Haaland
Manchester City · 25 · Premier League
49 caps · 55G WC debut
World's top striker
ACE
7
ST · FW
Alexander Sørloth
Atlético Madrid · 30 · La Liga
70 caps · 26G WC debut
Co-striker & power No.9
20
LW · MF
Antonio Nusa
RB Leipzig · 21 · Bundesliga
22 caps · 7G WC debut
Left-wing dynamo (20yo)
3
CB · DF
Kristoffer Ajer
Brentford · 28 · Premier League
52 caps · 2G WC debut
Defensive cornerstone (tall CB)
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 11
FW FORWARDS 3
GROUP I

GROUP I.

FRA
France
POT 1
SEN
Senegal
POT 2
NOR
Norway
POT 3
IRQ
Iraq
POT 4
Tue, Jun 16
Iraq vs Norway
Boston Stadium · Foxborough, MA
Norway's first World Cup match in 28 years. Haaland and Ødegaard must deliver immediately against a debutant Iraq — neutralising their organised midfield is the key.
View lineups →
MD1
Mon, Jun 22
Senegal vs Norway
New York New Jersey Stadium · East Rutherford, NJ
Against Senegal's new generation (post-Mané, Koulibaly). The Ajer/Østigård pairing must contain Africa's physical front line.
View lineups →
MD2
Fri, Jun 26
France vs Norway
Boston Stadium · Foxborough, MA
Group decider against Pot 1 France (Mbappé, Tchouaméni). Solbakken may deploy Haaland and Sørloth together for a high-stakes attacking gamble.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group I
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · East Rutherford vs 3rd place (C/D/F/G/H)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Philadelphia vs Winner of Match 74
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 90
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group I
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · Arlington vs Runners-up Group E
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 76
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 92
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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