Norway's greatest strength lies in the quality of its players. This is considered the best generation of footballers the country has had in decades.

At the heart of the team is Haaland, a striker who consistently maintains a top-scoring record in Europe. Alongside him is Odegaard, a modern playmaker with the ability to regulate and control the tempo of the game.

Up front is Alexander Sorloth, a striker whose physique and aerial ability are well-suited to the direct style of Nordic football.

The Norwegian national team returns to the World Cup for the first time in 1998. Photo: Reuters

More importantly, Norway is no longer entirely dependent on a few individuals as before. They are beginning to form a relatively balanced team across all three lines. Many players are currently playing in the Premier League, Bundesliga, or La Liga, such as Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Sander Berge, Kristoffer Ajer, and Julian Ryerson. Experience playing in top European leagues has significantly improved the team's speed, tackling ability, and transitions between attacking and defensive phases.

The biggest influence comes from coach Ståle Solbakken. The 57-year-old coach didn't try to turn Norway into a version of Spain or England. He opted for a more pragmatic approach. The team prioritized mid-range pressing, maintaining a tight formation, and launching quick counter-attacks immediately after regaining possession.

The European Football Federation (UEFA) once assessed Norway as particularly dangerous in high-speed transitions. Odegaard acts as a link in the midfield. Haaland exploits the space behind the opposing defense. Sorloth creates pressure in the penalty area with his strength and aerial ability. This style of play makes Norway a difficult opponent for many strong teams.

However, the Nordic team still has quite a few limitations. They haven't made a significant impact in official tournaments in recent years and still lack experience at the World Cup. Their defense is also a point of concern for experts when facing teams with strong ball control. If Haaland is neutralized or Odegaard loses space to play, Norway's attacking system becomes noticeably less effective.

However, Norway has shown remarkable maturity in recent years. They drew with the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, defeated Sweden in the UEFA Nations League, and impressed in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign by finishing top of their group ahead of Italy. These results aren't enough to make Norway a title contender, but they show that the team is no longer to be underestimated.

The World Cup is always a stage for surprises. A well-organized team, possessing a few individuals capable of making a difference and maintaining a high level of intensity, can certainly go further than expected. After years of waiting, the generation of Haaland and Odegaard has finally brought Norwegian football back to the world's biggest stage. And at the 2026 World Cup, the Nordic team has the potential to become a noteworthy dark horse.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/world-cup-2026-the-he-vang-na-uy-1040307