Norway, preparing to stir up a storm at the 2026 World Cup in North America, has unveiled its final squad. The team is anchored by "monster striker" Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, a member of the club's English Premier League (EPL) title-winning side.
The Norwegian national team announced its 26-man World Cup roster on Saturday local time. The King of Norway drew attention by delivering the squad announcement through a pre-recorded social media video. Rather than showing the players' faces, the video highlighted scenes from the daily lives of Norwegian citizens of all ages, with the players' names interwoven throughout. The message conveyed that the entire nation is wholeheartedly supporting the team as it returns to the World Cup stage after 28 years.
Haaland's World Cup debut is especially anticipated. Boasting a remarkable resume that includes the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot, UEFA Champions League top scorer titles in 2021 and 2023, and EPL Golden Boots in 2023 and 2024, Haaland had been forced to watch the World Cup only on television, as Norway had been considered a relative minnow in Europe. With this tournament expanding to 48 nations, he will finally make his World Cup debut.
Haaland has said, "Representing my country at the World Cup has been my lifelong dream. We are going to the place I have only watched on TV."
Arsenal captain Odegaard will wear the armband for Norway, while Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid) and Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace) will form the attacking line alongside Haaland. Norway has been drawn into the "Group of Death" in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq.
