Norway currently boasts a golden generation with many stars playing in 5 top European leagues, such as: Erling Haaland (Man City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bob (Fulham), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), and Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla).

Forward Erling Haaland (right) celebrates after scoring in Norway's 4-1 victory over Italy in a World Cup 2026 qualifier at San Siro stadium, Milan, Italy on 16/11/2025. Photo: AFP.

Forward Erling Haaland (right) celebrates after scoring in Norway's 4-1 victory over Italy in a World Cup 2026 qualifier at San Siro stadium, Milan, Italy on 16/11/2025. Photo: AFP.

After unsuccessful campaigns in Euro 2020, World Cup 2022, and Euro 2024 qualifiers, this generation finally secured qualification for a major tournament – World Cup 2026. This marks Norway's first World Cup appearance since the 1998 tournament, where they lost to Italy in the round of 16. Back then, Stale Solbakken, Norway's current coach, was a player and came on as a substitute.

Norway was one of the most impressive teams in the World Cup qualifiers, winning all 8 matches and scoring 37 goals. Among European national teams, only England achieved a similar perfect winning record. An average of 4,6 goals per match is also the highest scoring rate a European team has ever achieved in a World Cup qualifying campaign with 5 matches or more.

Meanwhile, Iraq's path to World Cup 2026 was much more challenging. The West Asian team was the 48th and final team to qualify, after a total of 21 qualifying matches – more than any other national team. Iraq secured their spot through the intercontinental play-off round, with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Mexico.

The team aims to improve their performance compared to their only previous World Cup appearance in 1986, when they lost all three group stage matches.

Hong Duy