Norway
World Cup 2026 Group I — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
Haaland's first World Cup after 26 years of waiting
Norway last qualified in 1998 when Tore André Flo and Ole Gunnar Solskjær crashed out in the group stage. This time, Erling Haaland brings 63 goals in 64 Manchester City appearances to a squad that topped UEFA qualifying Group A over Spain. Manager Ståle Solbakken's 3-5-2 system maximizes Haaland's physicality while unleashing Martin Ødegaard's creativity between lines. Their opening match against Iran in Seattle on June 12 could decide who advances behind England.
Group C's aerial warfare
Norway faces three opponents who dominate in the air: England's Harry Kane (58 headed goals since 2012), Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly (3.1 aerial duels won per game at Chelsea), and Iran's 6'4" striker Mehdi Taremi. Center-back Leo Østigård (Genoa) must improve his 1.8 aerial wins per game to survive. The June 20 clash with Senegal in Vancouver pits Haaland against Edouard Mendy — their 2022 Champions League duel saw Haaland score twice past him for Dortmund.
The left-back crisis
Norway's weakest position remains left-back, where 34-year-old Birger Meling (Copenhagen) started 8 qualifiers but lacks pace. Solbakken tested midfielder Fredrik Aursnes there in March friendlies, leaving gaps against counterattacks. England's Bukayo Saka and Senegal's Ismaila Sarr will target this flank. Right-back Julian Ryerson (Dortmund) must compensate — his 3.7 tackles per game lead UEFA qualifiers.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group I hub →
Group standings
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Iraq vs NorwayEstadio Boston | Tue, Jun 16, 2026 · 23:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
Norway vs  SenegalEstadio New York/New Jersey | Tue, Jun 23, 2026 · 01:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
Norway vs  FranceEstadio Boston | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 20:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
When did Norway last play in the World Cup?+
1998 — they finished last in Group D with 1 point, losing to Morocco and drawing with Scotland.
How many goals did Haaland score in qualifying?+
6 in 8 games, including a hat-trick against Romania in October 2023.
Which cities will Norway play in?+
Seattle (vs Iran), Vancouver (vs Senegal), and Los Angeles (vs England).
Who is Norway's most capped player?+
Ødegaard with 56 caps — 15 more than next-closest defender Stefan Strandberg.
What's Norway's best World Cup result?+
Round of 16 in 1938 and 1994, losing to Italy both times.