Team Norway don ready to go a-viking for 2026 World Cup. Last week, dem release photos wey show players in full battle regalia, courtesy of photographer David Yarrow. Norway squad pose for beach, in front of three Viking longships like the ones wey historical raiders use for coast of England during early Middle Ages.
Norwegian star Erling Haaland get im own individual photo, wielding sword and shield with long hair unbound. The prolific Manchester City forward score 27 goals with eight assists in 34 starts for 2025-26 season. Norway go face France, Senegal and Iraq for Group I. Dem dey at 35-1 odds to win World Cup.
Ståle Solbakken lead country to first major tournament in 26 years, knowing say with Erling Haaland up front, anything fit happen. Solbakken journey to become Norway manager start at 1998 World Cup, when he sit as unused substitute dey shout suggestions to coach Egil Olsen. Like im mentor Olsen, Solbakken never be naive or romantic manager. He be product of northern European football school, where result always hold most weight.
Im style consist of tight zonal defending and aggressive attacking play focused on breaking through lines. Norway usually use 4-3-3 formation, but with flexibility. Antonio Nusa, winger wey love to dribble, dey maintain width on left, while full-back Julian Ryerson push up as right winger, making am look like 3-5-2. This allow strikers Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth to operate close to goal.
Solbakken also try flatter 4-4-2 with varying success. Approach dey pragmatic: Norway want to maximize X-factor players like Haaland raw power and passing ability of captain Martin Ødegaard. If space behind opponent defence dey, Haaland go exploit am.
Norway don develop style of play for past year. For Euro 2024 qualification, ball-playing defenders scarce, but with left-footed Torbjørn Heggem and Kristoffer Ajer, area improve. Expect dem to try to dominate against Iraq, play smart against Senegal, and sit deep against France, relying on counterattacks and set pieces.
Solbakken, wey play for Copenhagen for 2001, suffer heart attack and collapse during training. By time ambulance arrive, he dey clinically dead for seven minutes. He wake up for hospital, football career over. Since then, he coach clubs like Wolves, Cologne and Copenhagen. For 2020, he take over national team. After failing to qualify for Euros, he take Norway to first major tournament since Euro 2000.
Erling Haaland dey prove scary for defenders. If you give am time or space, you go get punishment. For 92 years Jørgen Juve hold record for most goals for Norway with 33. None of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Tore André Flo or John Carew come close. Then Haaland surpass Juve at age 24 with 34th goal for im 36th appearance.
Antonio Nusa idolise Neymar. Christianity dey important to am, and on pitch he dey elicit gasp from supporters. He release own book for children wey dream to become top footballers. The 21-year-old dey with RB Leipzig since 2024.
Sander Berge provide vital balance for Norway behind talented frontline. The Fulham midfielder offer composure on ball and ability to cover space. Im importance show before qualifier against Estonia for June 2025, when Berge become father. Norwegian federation pay for private plane to take am to Tallinn. Norway win game, Berge be one of best players.
Supporters dey chant Row! Row! Row! during matches, as dem row in rhythm in reference to Vikings wey row across Atlantic to United States. Norwegian federation estimate between 7,000 and 10,000 fans go travel to North America for group stage. Expect to see hundreds of Viking helmets for streets and stands.
