Norway Announces Star-Studded World Cup Squad Headlined by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will lead Norway’s highly anticipated squad for the FIFA World Cup, announced in a special video message by King Harald V on Thursday. The Manchester City striker and Arsenal captain are among the standout players in a 26-man roster marking Norway’s first return to the global tournament since 1998.

Other notable talents in the squad include RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson, Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, creating a mix of youth and experience for manager Stale Solbakken.

Norway has been drawn into Group I, a challenging pool featuring defending champions France, Senegal, and Iraq. Despite the tough competition, the team qualified in spectacular fashion, winning all eight of their qualifying matches, including victories over four-time World Cup winners Italy.
“We believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time,” Solbakken said ahead of the tournament.

In his video announcement, King Harald highlighted the country’s long wait to return to the World Cup. “The hope has lived on – on gravel, on grass and artificial turf… Across long distances, ferries, and mountain passes,” he said, as the video showcased Norway’s remote and breathtaking landscapes stretching far north of the Arctic Circle.

The squad includes one uncapped player, goalkeeper Sander Tangvik of Hamburger SV, after Nikita Haikin’s request to switch from representing Russia to Norway was rejected by FIFA due to residency rules.
Ahead of their opening World Cup match against Iraq on June 16, Norway will play warm-up friendlies against Sweden and Morocco.

Norway World Cup 2026 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla FC/ESP), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV/GER), Egil Selvik (Watford FC/ENG)
Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Kopp Ajer (Brentford FC/ENG), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa CFC/ITA), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/ENG), Fredrik Andre Bjorkan (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino FC/ITA), Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem (Bologna FC 1909 SPA/ITA), Sondre Klingen Langas (Derby County/ENG), Henrik Saelebakke Falchener (Viking Football Club/NOR), Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Midfielders: Morten Thorsby (Cremonese SPA/ITA), Patrick Berg (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Sander Berge (Fulham FC/ENG), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal F.C./ENG), Fredrik Aursnes (SL Benfica/POR), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo/ITA), Thelonious Aasgaard (Rangers FC/SCO), Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa (RB Leipzig/GER), Andreas Raedergard Schjelderup (SL Benfica/POR), Oscar Bobb (Fulham FC/ENG), Jens Petter Hauge (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR)

Forwards: Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City FC/ENG), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace/ENG)