Why Norway are shining at the World Cup and in so many sports | OneFootball

Norway are into the 2026 World Cup knockouts and eclipsing old benchmarks, with Erling Braut Haaland spearheading a formidable generation.

They beat Senegal and Iraq, then, already through, rotated heavily in a 1-4 defeat to France. On Tuesday in Dallas at 19.00 they meet Ivory Coast, as favourites, for a place in the last 16. El Periódico Mediterráneo highlights that Norway’s surge stretches beyond football.

Before this edition they had two wins from eight World Cup games and seven goals. After the groups they already sit one clear of that tally. Kjetill Rekdal shared Norway’s previous World Cup scoring best on two, Haaland has four.

Norway had reached only three finals, in 1938, 1994 and 1998, and played one Euros in 2000. Their only football medal is Berlin 1936 bronze.

Support comes from Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s title-winning and Champions League finalist captain, Alexander Sorloth of Atlético and RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa. Stale Solbakken has shaped this group since 2020.

Norway’s wider rise features Magnus Carlsen in chess, Karsten Warholm in athletics, Casper Ruud in tennis and Viktor Hovland in golf. Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen headline a women’s side that won the 1995 World Cup.

Winter sport remains the bedrock. With Russia excluded, Norway topped Milan-Cortina 2026 for a third straight Games, as Johannes Klaebo won six of their 18 golds. At home, new indoor centres and a no-score policy to age 11 delay specialisation until adolescence.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo