Erling Haaland is the obvious centrepiece of Norway's World Cup return, but the case for them being more than a one-man team is already there. He scored in all 8 qualifying matches and finished with 16 goals. Antonio Nusa added 6 goal contributions in 6 qualifying appearances, while Martin Ødegaard delivered 7 assists, including 3 in one game against Israel.
Why Norway's attack looks harder to contain
That spread matters. Norway are not leaning on Haaland alone for chance creation or final-ball quality, and that is before Alexander Sørloth is even mentioned. The wider picture is what makes them interesting as a World Cup side, because the production is coming from the flank, from midfield and from the striker who dominates the headlines.
Haaland's own numbers remain ridiculous. He has 55 goals in 50 international appearances, and his club form has stayed sharp too, with 27 goals in 35 games for Manchester City in 2025-26. But the better point for Norway is that their qualifying campaign showed several reliable routes to goal. If one player is shut down, there is already evidence that another can decide the game.
What Haaland said after qualification
Haaland was clear that the feeling around this team is bigger than his own profile. "Something felt missing in 2022 in Qatar and also in the Euros in 2024. So now it finally happened, and it was about time," he said. He also added: "I never experienced Norway being at a World Cup in my lifetime. I'm just happy now that we qualified, and all the young Norwegian kids can experience how it is to have their country there. You have these things that you remember from the World Cup, and hopefully, now we can be a part of these amazing moments. I want to create something special there together with the whole nation, and hopefully we can make that happen."
That is the right framing. Haaland will draw every bit of attention, and Z. Ibrahimović has already pushed the familiar argument that he is a killer in the box rather than an all-around forward. Fair enough as an opinion. The more relevant point for Norway is that their qualifying output already shows a team built to share the burden, not just hand it to one superstar.
Haaland is still the headline. Norway's best argument is that he does not have to carry everything on his own.
FAQ
Why does Norway's World Cup preview go beyond Erling Haaland?
Because the goals and creation are coming from elsewhere too. Haaland scored in all 8 qualifying matches and finished with 16 goals, Antonio Nusa delivered 6 goal contributions in 6 appearances, and Martin Odegaard produced 7 assists, including 3 in one game against Israel.
Will Erling Haaland carry Norway by himself at the World Cup?
The numbers suggest Norway do not need him to. Haaland scored in all 8 qualifying matches, but Nusa and Odegaard also produced strong output in qualifying, which gives Norway multiple ways to attack.
Is Zlatan Ibrahimovic right to say Erling Haaland is only a box striker?
That is Ibrahimovic's view, and it is clearly opinion rather than fact. He called Haaland a killer in the box and said he saw himself as more all-around, while Haaland pointed out that Norway have finally qualified for a World Cup and wants to create something special there.
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