Norway qualify for World Cup since 1998

Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, and Strand Larsen were all not born when Norway competed in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

In a group with Brazil, Scotland and Morocco, the northern Europeans finished second behind the then-defending champions after a hard-fought 2-1 win over them in Group A.

They have not been to any of the last six FIFA World Cups.

Sadly, Norway have missed every major tournament since Euro 2000 as it became a major headache for the Scandinavian nation.

Many football fans have tipped Norway to return to the big stage after Haaland and Odegaard became the main men for their respective clubs.

It did not take long before Solbakken, the head coach, devised a strategy to brush aside his opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In a group alongside four-time world champions Italy, Norway were always going to be excited with a second-place finish to pass through the play-off zone, but rather brushed aside every opponent, including a 4-1 win against Italy in matchday 8 at the San Siro in Milan.

Esposito’s strikers’ finish helped the Azurri take a 1-0 lead to halftime. Italy need eight more goals with Norway not scoring to steal the sole slot. Genaro Gattuso’s Italy, after failing to score the second, completely broke down with 20-year-old Nusa equalising in the 63rd minute.

Erling Haaland scored a quick brace in the 78th and 79th minutes to put the game beyond Italy.

Strand Larsen in the 93rd minute scored Norway’s goal to embarrass Italy.

Italy will now wait for their opponent on Thursday’s draw in the play-off in March 2026. The 2006 world champions have missed the last two World Cups, and disaster will strike if they fail to make it to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Norway will be feared by many sides if they can get all their talented players fit and mentally sound in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Eight wins in eight games, 37 goals scored, 5 conceded, with Erling Haaland scoring 16 and assisting twice.