Erling Haaland the star in a strong Norway squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
For the first time this century, Norway are heading to a FIFA World Cup and, under the management of former Wolverhampton Wanderers Stale Solbakken, they will fancy themselves to make a statement or two after such an impressive and emphatic qualification campaign.
The leading light for the Norwegians is, of course, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland – who has a simply ridiculous goal scoring record no matter what shirt he pulls on, but perhaps even more so for his nation.
Haaland is backed up in the final third by some strong attacking options, too, with Alexander Sorloth, off the back of an impressive season for Atletico Madrid, joined by Crystal Palace’s club-record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen.
In behind the strikers will be captain Martin Odegaard, who has just led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years but there will also be the likes of Andreas Schjelderup and wingers such as Thelo Aasgaard, Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa to provide further creativity.
Defence is perhaps where Norway are at their weakest with talk of Bodo/Glimt’s Israeli-Russian goalkeeper Nikita Haikin switching his international allegiance failing to come up, leaving Norway with Orjan Nyland, Egil Selvik and Sander Tangvik as options between the sticks.
There are some notable options at the back with decent pedigree. The likes of Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer and Genoa defender Leo Ostigard will be key alongside Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson.
A bit of a surprise is that Fredrik Aursnes of Benfica, who retired from international football in March 2024, has come out of retirement to potentially form a very solid midfield partnership with Fulham’s Sander Berge.
