Norway go into the 2026 World Cup with a case that is hard to dismiss. They qualified with eight wins from eight, scored 37 goals in UEFA qualifying, and Erling Haaland scored in every one of those matches. That is a serious attacking platform, not just a promising one, and it is why Ståle Solbakken's side are being talked about as a real dark horse.

Why the qualifying numbers matter

Norway's route back to the men's World Cup has been a long one. One source places their absence at 28 years, while another says their last appearance came in 1998, when they reached the last 16 before losing to Italy. Either way, the return comes with momentum rather than hope.

The most striking part of the qualification story is the scoring. Norway's 37 goals were the most of any European team, and Haaland contributed 16 of them. He scored twice as many goals as any other player on the continent in the source coverage, which is the kind of margin that changes how opponents set up against you.

Haaland and Ødegaard give Norway a real edge

Haaland's consistency is the key detail. He scored in all eight qualifying matches, so Norway were not relying on one big night or a soft run of fixtures. Martin Ødegaard gives the attack another layer, with Solbakken describing the team as a collective rather than a one-player act. That is the right way to frame it, because Norway do have more than one threat.

Solbakken told si.com: "Norway is coming to North America to take part, it's coming to take over ..."

That sounds bold, but it is not empty bravado. Antonio Nusa is part of the attacking picture too, and the group fixtures are not soft. Norway face Iraq on June 16 at Gillette Stadium, Senegal on June 22 at MetLife Stadium and France on June 26 at Gillette Stadium.

The bracket still looks rough, and nobody should pretend otherwise. But if a team arrives at the World Cup with a perfect qualifying record, the most goals in Europe and Haaland scoring in every qualifier, it deserves to be taken seriously. Norway are not guaranteed anything in 2026, but they have already earned the right to be viewed as dangerous.

FAQ

Why are Norway being talked about as dark horses for the 2026 World Cup?

Norway arrive with a perfect qualifying record, 8 wins from 8, and 37 goals in UEFA qualifying, the most of any European team. Erling Haaland scored in all eight matches and finished with 16 goals, while Martin Ødegaard remains the main creative hub. That combination makes them look far more dangerous than a typical returning World Cup side.

How long have Norway been away from the men's World Cup?

The source coverage gives both versions of the gap: one says Norway have had a 28-year absence, while another notes their last men's World Cup was in 1998, when they reached the last 16 and were eliminated by Italy. Either way, this is their first appearance since then.

Can Erling Haaland carry Norway at the 2026 World Cup?

He is clearly the engine of the team. Haaland scored in every one of Norway's eight qualifying matches and ended with 16 goals, twice as many as any other player on the continent in the source coverage. Ståle Solbakken still frames Norway as a collective, but Haaland is the main reason the attack looks so threatening.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →