Norway are living in a fairytale in this summer’s FIFA World Cup, having qualified for the quarter-final in style. The Nordic nation had not played in the competition for 28 years heading into this edition, but their form in qualifying showed that they would be a problem in North America.
Stale Solbakken’s side won all eight of their qualifiers to finish top of their group and reach the tournament in style. They qualified for the Round of 32 after wins over Iraq and Senegal in their first two games, and have not lost a game since a rotated side lost to France in their final group game.
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Prior to this summer, Norway had never gone past the Round of 16 or even scored a knockout goal at the FIFA World Cup. This group of players have changed that, and have got their fans believing that they could still progress further in the competition.
The Nordic nation are experiencing what can be termed as their Golden Generation, with some of Europe’s finest players presently in their squad. Here are their five best players from this summer’s World Cup so far:
5 best players for Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
#5 Andreas Schjelderup
Benfica youngster Andreas Schjelderup has had to make do with a second-fiddle position for Norway, but he slightly edges it as one of their best players. The 22-year-old has appeared in all five of their games, making a single start in the game against France in this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Schjelderup has provided three assists in the competition, including two in the win over Brazil in the last round. The talented winger will be pushing for a place in the starting XI, but remains a very good option to have off the bench for his side.
#4 Patrick Berg
Bodø/Glimt midfielder Patrick Berg came into the tournament as one of the lesser-known stars of the team, but has grabbed headlines with his displays in midfield. The 28-year-old helps to provide steel in the middle of the park, excelling in a box-to-box role as an all-action player.
Berg started the tournament as a substitute but has quickly become a starter, playing every minute of their last three games. He has provided two assists in five appearances for Norway in this tournament, a decent return from his position.
#3 Ørjan Nyland
Veteran goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was named in the FIFA World Cup squad on the back of a disappointing season with Sevilla. He put all of that firmly behind him with some brilliant displays in his four appearances in the tournament so far this summer.
Nyland has yet to keep a clean sheet this summer, but has made eight saves in the knockout stages, including a penalty save against Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes. The 35-year-old provides leadership and quality at the back for Norway, helping them to reach the quarter-final of the competition.
#2 Martin Odegaard
The captain and leader of the group, Martin Odegaard has earned rave reviews from teammates and opponents, alike, this summer. The Arsenal man has made four appearances in the competition this summer, having been rested against France.
Odegaard has provided three assists so far, but his most important work has been off the ball. The 27-year-old leads the press for Norway, showing his teammates when to swarm the opposition and suffocating them, as Brazil’s players admitted. He has been brilliant on and off the ball, playing a key role for his side in this FIFA World Cup.
#1 Erling Haaland
When you talk of scoring goals, not many players in football history can claim to be better than Erling Haaland, despite his being 25 years old. The striker has taken the world by storm at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, scoring in each of his appearances.
Haaland is capable of winning games on his own, as he showed in the Round of 16 against Brazil, and is his country’s most dangerous player. His tally of seven goals in the tournament is bettered only by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who have one more than he does.
Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen