Norway World Cup Squad Named as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard End 28 Year Wait

Norway have confirmed their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading the side’s return to football’s biggest tournament after a 28-year absence. The squad announcement was delivered through a video message featuring King Harald V on Thursday.

The Norway World Cup Squad includes several players from Europe’s top leagues, with Odegaard set to captain the side and Haaland expected to spearhead the attack. Norway qualified for the tournament by winning all matches in their qualifying campaign, finishing ahead of four-time world champions Italy.

Manager Stale Solbakken said the squad had earned its place through consistent performances over an extended period.

“We believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time,” Solbakken said.

Haaland and Odegaard Headline Norway Squad

The presence of Erling Haaland in World Cup Squad had long been expected after the striker’s form for Manchester City and the national side. Odegaard, meanwhile, arrives at the tournament following another strong season with Arsenal FC and will captain the Norwegian team during the competition.

The squad also features several established names including Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Julian Ryerson, Oscar Bobb and Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Norway have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, in what has been viewed as one of the tougher groups in the tournament.

Tangvik Earns Call-Up

Goalkeeper Sander Tangvik is the only uncapped player included in the squad. His selection follows FIFA’s decision to reject Nikita Haikin’s request to change sporting nationality from Russian to Norwegian because of residency regulations.

King Harald V also reflected on Norway’s return to the World Cup in the announcement video.

“The hope has lived on -- on gravel, on grass and artificial turf... Across long distances, ferries and mountain passes,” he said.

Norway will play warm-up matches against Sweden and Morocco before opening their World Cup campaign against Iraq on June 16.

Among the key names in the squad are goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, defenders Kristoffer Ajer and Leo Ostigard, midfielders Patrick Berg and Sander Berge, alongside forwards Haaland, Sorloth and Strand Larsen.

Norway Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: 

Orjan Haskjold Nyland, Sander Tangvik, Egil Selvik.

Defenders: 

Kristoffer Vassbakk Kopp Ajer, Leo Skiri Ostigard, David Moller Wolfe, Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem, Sondre Klingen Langas, Henrik Saelebakke Falchener, Julian Ryerson

Midfielders: 

Morten Thorsby, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Kristian Thorstvedt, Thelonious Aasgaard, Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa, Andreas Raedergard Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge

Forwards: 

Alexander Sorloth, Erling Braut Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen