Norway’s historic World Cup campaign may have ended in the quarter-finals, but the belief surrounding Ståle Solbakken’s team has rarely been stronger.
A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England brought their run to a close in Miami, where Jude Bellingham scored both of England’s goals after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead. Despite the disappointment, reaching the last eight represented Norway’s best performance at a World Cup. (The Guardian’s match report)
The question is now whether this summer was a one-off achievement or the beginning of a period in which Norway consistently qualifies for major tournaments.
Norway proves it belongs
According to TV 2 Sport expert Mads Junker, Norway’s performances over the past year have changed the players’ understanding of their own level.
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“They know they are good enough now, and that they belong among the 10 best teams in Europe,” Junker said.
“Sometimes you have to prove that before you gain that self-understanding. They have it now.”
That confidence was built during a campaign in which Norway repeatedly delivered under pressure. As detailed in FIFA’s account of Norway’s route through the tournament, they defeated Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2 in the group stage before beating Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in the round of 32.
Their most significant result followed against Brazil. Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated the five-time world champions 2-1, taking the country into a World Cup quarter-final for the first time. (FIFA’s official match page)
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Experts see a Danish blueprint
Bendik Hareide, the son of former Denmark and Norway coach Åge Hareide, believes the tournament could have a lasting effect on Norwegian football.
“I believe we will gain enormous self-confidence, and I believe we can achieve the same as Denmark did,” Hareide told TV 2 Sport.
The comparison is not necessarily about copying Denmark’s playing style. Instead, it concerns creating a culture in which qualification for major tournaments is treated as an expectation rather than an exceptional event.
For years, Norway possessed several talented individuals without turning them into a successful national team. The World Cup suggested that the current generation, led by Haaland and Ødegaard, has moved beyond that stage.
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Junker believes the team must now embrace its greater profile and build a closer relationship with the public. Norway’s performances have already generated extraordinary interest at home, with large street celebrations following the victories over Senegal and Brazil.
A national celebration awaits
The players are due to be honoured in Oslo following their return from the United States.
As reported by VG, the squad will visit the Royal Palace before travelling through central Oslo in an open bus and meeting supporters at Rådhusplassen.
The celebration reflects how quickly perceptions of the national team have changed. Norway entered the World Cup having waited 28 years to return to the tournament. They leave it having eliminated Brazil, reached the last eight and shown that they can compete with the strongest teams in international football.
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Nations League offers the next test
Norway will not have to wait long to test that progress.
The team will compete in the top division of the Nations League for the first time, facing Portugal, Denmark and Wales. Their campaign begins with consecutive home matches against Denmark on September 24 and Portugal on September 27. (Norwegian Football Federation’s full fixture list)
Both matches at Ullevaal are listed as sold out on the federation’s official ticket portal, another indication of the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the team.
European Championship qualifying then begins in March 2027. Norway’s World Cup run has raised expectations, but the next stage of their development will be measured by whether they can return to major tournaments consistently.
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The talent has never been in doubt. After their performances in North America, neither is the belief.
