Norway calls up 23 players for the 2026 World Cup with Haaland in the spotlight By Jeronimo Santos
3 min read
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The Norwegian team returns to Copa from Mundo after 28 years of absence. Erling Haaland heads the squad assembled by coach Stäle Solbakken for the 2026 tournament in Estados Unidos, Canadá and México. The Nordics secured a place with eight wins in eight games in the qualifiers, making their way into a challenging group alongside França, Senegal and Iraque.
The last Norwegian participation in an Copa of Mundo was in 1998, when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Itália. Agora, with generations of offensive talent and a robust defensive core, the Norwegians arrive at the competition as a possible surprise for América from Norte.
Goleiros experienced with alternatives on the bench
Orjan Nyland, 35, will be the starting goalkeeper during the tournament. The veteran, who played for Premier League in Aston Villa, Norwich, Bournemouth and Reading, recently became a goalkeeper for Sevilha, Espanha, consolidating his experience at elite European level.
Solbakken has solid alternatives in reserve. Egil Selvik, from Watford, and Viljar Myhra, from OB, are the secondary options to protect the Norwegian goal. The depth in this position guarantees tactical security for the coach in the face of possible injuries or performance below expectations in critical phases of the tournament.
Defesa with established players in the main European leagues
The Norwegian defense has a defined formation with Kristoffer Ajer, from Brentford, teaming up with Torbjorn Heggem. Nas fullbacks, Julian Ryerson from Borussia Dortmund and David Moller Wolfe from Wolverhampton Wanderers provide depth and speed on the defensive ends.
Qualified Alternativas covers possible absences. Leo Skiri Ostigard, from Gênova, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, from Turim, and the Bodo/Glimt duo, Fredrik André Bjorkan and Odin Bjortuft, complete the defensive options. Henrik Falchener, from Viking, represents an additional choice on the list of summer call-up defenders.
- Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford)
- Torbjorn Heggem (Bolonha)
- Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund)
- David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton)
- Leo Skiri Ostigard (Gênova)
- Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Turim)
- Fredrik André Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt)
- Odin Bjortuft (Bodo/Glimt)
Meio-creative field under command of Odegaard
Martin Odegaard, captain of Arsenal and the Norwegian national team, is the team’s offensive maestro. Apesar has faced injuries in the current season with Gunners, the player remains an essential figure for Norwegian tactical creativity. Sander Berge, from Fulham, acts as a defender with already proven defensive solidity.
Patrick Berg, from Bodo/Glimt, and Kristian Thorstvedt, from Sassuolo, add dynamism and disposition to the middle of the field. Morten Thorsby from Cremonese offers a versatile alternative, while Felix Horn Myhre from Brann and Thelo Aasgaard from Rangers round out the creation and transition options. Este sock set allows the Solbakken tactical flexibility as match developments progress.
Powerful Ataque with Haaland as main reference
The Norwegian attack has a face and name: Erling Haaland. The center forward, the team’s main offensive power, will be surrounded by players of technical quality and experience in high-level competitions. Haaland joins Copa from Mundo as one of the Nordics’ main scoring weapons, capable of defining matches in isolation.
Solbakken has built a comprehensive offensive roster to not rely solely on its best player. Talentos like those trained in Bodo/Glimt, who had an extraordinary campaign in the European Campeões’s Liga, bring additional confidence. The Norwegians do not fear any opponent in the competition. The accumulated offensive potential, combined with the experience of the veterans, positions Noruega as a candidate for surprises in the knockout stages of Copa and Mundo.
