Coach Stale Solbakken will lead the Norwegian national team at the 2026 World Cup. Photo: FIFA

In the 2025-2026 Champions League, a Norwegian team astonished the world by successively defeating giants like Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan. That club is Bodo/Glimt, a small team in northern Norway with a stadium seating only a few thousand people. The rise of Bodo/Glimt is proof that Norwegian football is making unprecedented strides.

It was also thanks to Bodo/Glimt's remarkable achievement that experts and the media couldn't help but draw parallels to the Norwegian national team, with its most outstanding generation of players ever, ready to enter a World Cup after 28 years with the mindset of a team that had won all their qualifying matches.

Watching Norway's star players compete in the English or Spanish Premier League reveals just how formidable the Nordic team is in attack. On a good day, when Odegaard, Haaland, and Sorloth play in perfect harmony, Norway is ready to challenge any opponent.

Haaland is always a name that any defense must carefully plan to contain. Having been the Premier League's top scorer three times is a testament to his talent. Haaland's attacking partner is also a top striker from Atletico Madrid, Sorloth. Playing behind this midfield duo is Arsenal's captain, Odegaard. He is a smart midfielder, an expert at controlling the tempo and transitioning between attacking and defensive phases…

But Norway isn't a team that relies on individual stars. Under coach Solbakken's leadership, this Nordic team is a cohesive unit with a balanced structure across all three lines. Norway's playing style is a seamless blend of technique and physicality. They maintain a very tight formation and transition from defense to attack at high speed thanks to the speed of their two powerful players, Haaland and Sorloth.

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Haaland (right) - the star of the Norwegian national team. Photo: FIFA

In other words, Norway has successfully capitalized on the strengths of a Nordic team, which is playing long balls and aerial passes combined with the teamwork of technically gifted players playing in top European leagues, creating a team with diverse attacking and defensive strategies.

Competing in Group I alongside defending runners-up France and teams from Senegal and Iraq, Norway is considered the second team, along with France, to advance to the next round. A significant advantage for Haaland and his teammates is that they will face opponents in order from weakest to strongest: Iraq on June 17th, Senegal on June 23rd, and finally France on June 27th in their Group I final match.

With their strength, Norway should have had no difficulty overcoming the less experienced and star-studded Asian team, Iraq. Their next opponent, Senegal, will be a decisive match for a place in the next round. Senegal is a team that plays a direct style of football, relying on the speed and physicality of its players. Their attack, in particular, boasts veteran Mane and forwards playing in England and Germany like Sarr and Jackson. However, when comparing the two teams, Norway's players are considered to be of higher quality. Furthermore, Norway's tight, physical style of play, typical of a Nordic team, will be a "nemesis" to the more spontaneous style of play of an African team like Senegal.

Of course, even when facing a title contender like France, Norway is ready to play on equal terms. Therefore, the final match of Group I will be a "test" of the strength of both France and Norway.

Returning to the miraculous story of the small club Bodo/Glimt. After their success in the 2025-2026 Champions League, the club has had players called up to the national team for the 2026 World Cup: defender Bjorkan and midfielders Berg and Hauge. They will bring the fearless fighting spirit from their club to the national team.

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Norwegian football currently boasts a golden generation with players like Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Sander Berge, Kristoffer Ajer, and Julian Ryerson excelling in top European leagues, combined with the youthful energy of Bodo/Glimt players and, especially, the "atomic" attacking trio: Odegaard, Haaland, and Sorloth. They are truly Nordic warriors, eager to conquer the world of football this summer.

PHI TAN

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/the-thao/bong-da/nhung-chien-than-bac-au-166488.html