Norway embarrassed Italy and qualified for the 2026 World Cup – also thanks to Erling Haaland. But the success has many more reasons than the qualities of the exceptional striker.
As much as Erling Haaland has achieved, he has never been able to experience in his life what many people take for granted. Perhaps the best striker in the world was born in 2000 and it won’t be until his 26th birthday that he will be able to claim that he knows what it’s like to see his home country take part in a major football tournament.
Norway was a World Cup and European Championship participant before Haaland’s birth
1998 was the last time Norway took part in a World Cup. Back then, the Scandinavians were already one of the better football nations, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Manchester United and striker Tore Andre Flo were the figureheads. The qualification went smoothly, Norway survived the group phase of the tournament thanks to a win against Brazil – then there was the unfortunate exit in the round of 16 against Italy (0-1).
Norway striker Andre Flo scores against Italy in the 1998 World Cup round of 16
In 2000, Norway was eliminated in the group phase of its only European Championship participation so far. The nation played its last game in one of the two outstanding national tournaments on June 21st, a 0-0 draw against Slovenia – exactly a month before Haalang was born. 25 years and five months later, Norway is back on the world stage.
With a 4-1 win in Italy, Haaland and Co. qualified for the 2026 World Cup (June 11 to July 19) in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Haaland was also the decisive factor in this game – because he scored the goals to make it 2-1 and 3-1. In general, a lot of eight wins in eight World Cup qualifying games are “Made by Haaland”. He scored in all qualifying games, 16 goals in eight games. But Haaland is lucky to also be part of a team that is collectively strong and has other individual stars.
Solbakken builds top team around Haaland
And Haaland is lucky that he has a coach in Stale Solbakken who is obviously orchestrating the whole thing harmoniously. “First and foremost, it’s about creating an environment in which everyone feels comfortable”is the route of the former coach of 1. FC Köln (2011/12).
This creates a functioning team that has the currently most successful goalscorer in the world in Haaland, an exceptionally good preparer in Martin Odegaard (when he is fit again) and a shooter in Alexander Sörloth who can stand in for Haaland – and many unsung heroes too. Solbakken brings the whole thing into harmony. Norway is much more than Haaland.
For Solbakken, all players are important
Solbakken recently told the Norwegian tabloid “Verdens Gang”: “We benefit greatly from the culture we have built. Nobody can penetrate our resistance.” The 57-year-old has been training the national team since the end of 2020 and has shaped them into a World Cup team. Of course with a tactical style and good players – but above all by making everyone feel important.
Stale Solbakken, head coach of the Norwegian national team
“Without a good wardrobe, good people and good role models, it is impossible to take the final step. We have players from the Norwegian Eliteserie who are here for the first time – and then we have world stars. We are judged together, everyone has to take the other seriously.”said Solbakken. Cohesion, down-to-earthness and respect are three basic requirements for him.
Norway at the 2026 World Cup: Not an outsider
Solbakken is celebrated in Norway, and his passionate cabin speeches are discussed again and again. But also little things like his request to the Norwegian association that the ball children should be faster so as not to break the rhythm of the game, as the news agency “Reuters” reported.
Solbakken and Haaland have ended Norway’s 25-year losing streak – and if the team can transport the impressions of World Cup qualification to North and Central America, they will not only have to go into the tournament as underdogs.