Norway returns with Haaland roar

Norway won a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Erling Haaland leads the way, Martin Odegaard maintains the rhythm, the rest lift the team. The 2026 World Cup ticket is not a lucky moment. It is the result of the greatest rebound that Norwegian football has ever had.

Haaland carries the team

When Haaland left the San Siro with a brace against Italy, his first emotion was not joy. The Man City star said “relief”. That is an unusual feeling for a goalscoring machine.

But that reflects the pressure the 25-year-old has carried throughout the campaign. Norway needed a leader. Haaland stepped up to the plate. And he delivered.

This qualifying campaign marked a major turning point in Haaland's international career, scoring 16 goals in eight games. He scored in every game. No striker on any continent has done the same.

Haaland is so different from the rest. It feels like every Norway game starts 1-0. That consistency is not seen much at the national team level.

Haaland puts Norway back on the World Cup map.

Haaland has been the focus. But he’s not the only one pushing Norway past a two-decade slump. Martin Odegaard has been the link and rhythm for the system. The Arsenal midfielder provided seven assists in qualifying, more than anyone else in Europe.

However, that is not all. Odegaard's role is more important than the numbers. He controls space, keeps the ball in sensitive moments, leads the attack in the simplest and most precise way. Without Odegaard, Haaland will find it difficult to maintain his impressive scoring performance.

Norway is a country of only five million people. But they have one of the best strikers in the world , one of the most charismatic conductors in Europe. It is a rare thing. Journalist Lars Sivertsen says he doesn't think it will happen again in his lifetime.

The truth is that Norwegian football has waited a long time for such a generation. They have had many good players. But Norway has never had a pair of stars of such high calibre appear at the same time.

However, Norway’s real strength lies not just in the names Haaland and Odegaard. The likes of Sander Berge, Alexander Sørloth, Morten Thorsby or Kristoffer Ajer form the foundation that a World Cup-bound team must have. None of them get the same attention as Haaland or Odegaard.

However, the names above create balance, helping Norway stand firm in tense moments. That creates a stable structure. Haaland and Odegaard only explode when there is that structure.

Norway cannot be underestimated at the 2026 World Cup

Norway have had a long period of disappointment. They missed the 2010 World Cup. They missed the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Norway have players playing in England, Germany and Spain. But they still miss out on major tournaments. The current generation has been criticised for not reaching their full potential.

So this ticket is a relief. Its value lies in Norway breaking the curse. They are back at a point where they feel they deserve to be there. Haaland’s relief after beating Italy reflects the mood of the nation.

Haaland is the brightest star of the Norwegian team.

Haaland is a phenomenon. But he is not your typical Norwegian. Haaland is strong, confident, willing to say what others don’t. Scandinavians like humility. They like a player like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Someone who is content to sit on the bench. Someone who is happy even when he is not playing.

Haaland is different. He is not happy being a substitute. He wants to play. He wants to score. He wants to have maximum impact. That makes it interesting. Haaland is the opposite of the older generation. He does not shy away from responsibility. He does not shy away from pressure.

Norwegians are sometimes surprised by Haaland’s personality. But they are proud that such a unique talent belongs to them. A player of global stature. A man who carries the fate of a nation’s football on his big feet.

The 2026 World Cup ticket has special meaning for Haaland. He saw his father play in the 1994 World Cup. Alf Inge Haaland did not win a major trophy in his career. But he appeared on the biggest stage in football. That was the only thing Erling Haaland could not overcome. Now he has.

The 25-year-old Norwegian striker doesn't talk about dreams of winning. He talks about the festive atmosphere. He talks about Oslo exploding. For Norway, just being there is a big win.

With this ticket, Haaland avoids joining the legendary list of those who have never played in a World Cup. That list includes George Weah, George Best, Alfredo Di Stefano, Laszlo Kubala, Gunnar Nordahl. It includes Ryan Giggs and Ian Rush. Big names, but with regrets. Haaland doesn’t have to go that way. He arrived at the right time. He didn’t miss out.

Norway won’t go to the 2026 World Cup to shock. They’ll go there to find the feeling they’ve missed for 25 years. But with Haaland and Odegaard, no team will want to take them lightly. Norway have never dreamed of that. But this generation is different from previous ones. They want to prove they deserve to be there.

A 2026 World Cup ticket is the reward for Haaland’s long journey. And it could be the starting point for a new phase for Norwegian football. One where they are no longer just occasional guests. One where they are among the most competitive teams. And it all starts with the man who has made the biggest impact: Erling Braut Haaland.

Source: https://znews.vn/na-uy-tro-lai-bang-tieng-gam-cua-haaland-post1603218.html