Arsenal and Manchester City stars have been on opposing ends of a title race this season. Now they must come together as talented Norwegian team goes for glory
In attack, Erling Haaland, Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth and Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen. In midfield, Martin Odegaard, Fulham duo Sander Berge and Oscar Bobb, and RB Leipzig midfielder Antonio Nusa.
These are just some of the quality players who will represent Norway this summer as they play in their first World Cup since 1998.
“The heart of this group has been good together both on and off the field,” said manager Stale Solbakken after announcing his 26-man squad. “So it is true that football is fresh, and we have to keep that in mind. But I think that we have landed on something that can be good.”
Our World Cup Squad 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/p7HHOYTXUS
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) May 21, 2026
Notably, Haaland leads the attack, and in midfield Odegaard is prominent, and both players will be at the forefront of this summer’s tournament.
Odegaard was in and out of Arsenal’s squad this season through injuries, and he also struggled for form. Haaland started the season guns blazing, scoring in nigh every game to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League record with 100 goals in 111 appearances. He tailed off near the end too, struggling with fatigue.
In the end both players were on opposing ends of an intriguing title race as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal finally won the league at the fourth time of asking and for the first time for the club in 22 years, Odegaard lifting the trophy at Selhurst Park on final day.
Here both players must come together as a promising Norwegian team pushes for glory. Norway had a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing 1st place with eight wins and no draws or losses, scoring 37 goals.
But the tournament itself might be a little tougher. They kick off their World Cup campaign against Iraq on 16 June, before facing Senegal on 22 June and then France on 26 June.
Realistically they should have little problem qualifying for the knockout stages. There they will face other competing giants, and to prevail, they will need their two top players at their best.
