After 28 years away, Norway returns to the World Cup and, on Thursday, announced its 26-man list for the 2026 World Cup.
It is, of course, led by Erling Haaland, the star striker of Manchester City.
In addition to the Citizens’ forward, it also includes more world-class stars on whom they will place their hopes, such as Atlético Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth and Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who recently won the Premier League with the Gunners and will play in the UEFA Champions League final against PSG.
And beyond the biggest names, Norway has assembled an extremely competitive squad with players established in Europe’s five major leagues. Julian Ryerson, Kristian Thorstvedt and young Oscar Bobb stand out.
Hamburg goalkeeper Sander Tangvik, who has not yet made his debut for the national team, secured Norway’s final World Cup spot after a squad dilemma that lasted until the official publication of the list.
Tangvik was included in StÃ¥le Solbakken’s 26-player squad alongside veteran Ørjan Haskjold Nyland and Egil Selvik, amid intense media speculation about the goalkeeping group and following an unprecedented squad announcement.
King Harald V himself starred in the official video of the Norwegian Football Federation to present the list of 26 players of the Norway national team that will play in the 2026 World Cup.
Norway is in the demanding Group I with France, Senegal and Iraq, their debut rival. The Vikings will have the European duel against the French on the third matchday, June 26 in Foxborough.
Norway’s 2026 World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers:
- Sander Tangvik (Hamburg)
- Egil Selvik (Watford)
- Ørjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla).
Defenders:
- David Møller Wolfe (Wolverhampton)
- Leo Østigård (Genoa)
- Fredrik Bjørkan (Bødo/Glimt)
- Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford)
- Marcus Pedersen (Torino)
- Torbjørn Heggem (Bologna)
- Sondre Langås (Derby County)
- Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund)
- Henrik Falchener (Viking FK)
Midfielders:
- Patrick Berg (Bødo/Glimt)
- Morten Thorsby (Cremonese)
- Sander Berge (Fulham)
- Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)
- Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica)
- Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo)
- Thelonious Aasgaard (Rangers)
- Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig)
- Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica)
- Oscar Bobb (Fulham)
- Jens Petter Hauge (Bødo/Glimt)
Forwards:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Alexander Sørloth (Atletico Madrid)
- Jørgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace)
Norway’s goal is not just to hear its anthem again at a World Cup. The real goal is to change its tournament history, overcome the round-of-16 elimination at the hands of Italy at France 1998, and prove that this generation, led by Haaland and Odegaard, is ready to fight for something bigger than a simple reappearance.
Here is the literal translation into English, following AP Stylebook guidelines, without accents or tildes:
Haaland and Odegaard Lead the Way
When talking about Norway and its ambitions at the World Cup, it is impossible not to emphasize both Haaland and Ødegaard, who will lead their nation.
Haaland has established himself as one of the most decisive forwards in world soccer and the great reference for Norway today. In the UEFA Champions League, the Manchester City striker has already scored 57 goals in 58 matches, a figure that places him among the most precocious top scorers in the history of the competition.
Ødegaard, for his part, is the player who organizes practically all of the team’s play. Captain of both the national team and Arsenal, he has a role that goes far beyond the numbers, as he is responsible for setting the pace and giving meaning to the attack.
Throughout his career, he has stood out for his precociousness and leadership. He made his debut for the Norwegian senior national team at just 15 years old, becoming one of the youngest players to do so, and since 2021 he has been the permanent captain of the national team, a sign of his importance within the locker room.
