WC26 Analysis

🇳🇴 Norway

World Cup 2026 | Group I | Power rating 1894 (was 1860) | World rank #15

About Norway

Norway are an emerging force powered by elite attacking talent. A UEFA side, they enter the 2026 World Cup rated 1894 -15th of the 48 teams -in Group I.

Historically intermittent at the World Cup, with their best run the 1998 Round of 16. Direct and physical, dangerous in transition and from wide deliveries.

Drawn alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, their toughest group test on paper is the meeting with France. The model lists them 2nd in the group and to reach the Round of 16.

Detailed team profile

Overview

Norway return after a long absence with a rare attacking ceiling built around Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

World Cup history

Norway are making their fourth World Cup appearance after 1938, 1994 and 1998. Their best finish was the Round of 16 in 1998, and 2026 ends a 28-year absence.

Recent form

Norway qualified with a perfect UEFA campaign and won Group I ahead of Italy.

2026 World Cup angle

Group I gives Norway a demanding but exciting test against France, Senegal and Iraq. With Haaland, they have a match-winner who can alter the expected hierarchy quickly.

Group-stage results & analysis

MatchScoreNorway model share
vs 🇮🇶 Iraq FT 4 : 1 --
vs 🇸🇳 Senegal FT 3 : 2 --
vs 🇫🇷 France 0 : 2 3%