Norway's qualification is almost entirely a story of Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker scored 18 goals in qualifying — an extraordinary individual achievement — and dragged his nation to their first World Cup since 1998. The draw paired them with France in Group H: a potential meeting between the world's two most frightening strikers in the same group.
Odegaard's creative brilliance from midfield combines with Haaland's devastation in the box to give Norway an attacking combination that can trouble anyone.
Key Player: Erling Haaland
The most prolific striker in European football. Haaland's qualifying record for Norway defies description — 29 goals in 35 caps, many of them vital. His combination of pace, power, and finishing is generational. Against any team at this World Cup, if Norway can find him in space, he will score.
Tactical Setup
Solbakken's 4-2-3-1 is built almost entirely around getting the ball to Haaland in dangerous areas. Ødegaard drops into half-spaces to receive and play forward; Haaland makes runs in behind. Norway are not a pressing team — they defend deep and transition at pace.
Tournament History
Three appearances — 1938, 1994, and 1998 (famous 2-1 win over Brazil). Norway are rank outsiders to advance from Group H but in Haaland they have a player who can decide any match on his own.