When finally secured their spot at the after a 28-year absence from the tournament last November, coach Stale Solbakken breathed a sigh of relief.
The former national team midfielder was part of Egil Olsen’s squad at France 1998, but for almost three decades has watched successive generations struggle to escape the shadow of the nation's last World Cup team.
Now Solbakken — who will add his name to an illustrious list of individuals to have played for, and coached, their nation at a FIFA World Cup — is aiming to ensure Norway’s long wait for a return is remembered for more than qualification alone.
“I think it means a lot for the whole nation, especially the common supporter,” Solbakken tells FIFA. “I waited for this for a long time, and I think it's been hard for everyone to sit home at every World Cup back to when I played in 1998.
“Fifty thousand fans came to meet us [after qualification was confirmed] on a Monday in minus four [degrees], so that says it all. They have waited for this moment for so long, and now it's finally here. I feel relieved, because you are living with this pressure in this job. Obviously after we beat Italy 3-0, everyone said ‘Now, finally, we will do it’, but you know in football everything can happen.
“My feeling is still that I'm so relieved, not only for the players, but also the doctors, physios, everyone - because they have maybe been here longer than me and been in more qualifications that [haven't] gone well."
Central to Norway’s successful qualification campaign was Manchester City striker , whose 16 goals made him the top scorer globally in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Haaland’s closest competitors in Europe were Austria's Marko Arnautovic, England captain Harry Kane and Netherlands all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay - all of whom netted eight times.
Despite his significant profile and enviable international record, Haaland shows no sign of ego when he plays for the national team, according to Solbakken.
“Erling Haaland is a very easy guy to coach,” Solbakken said. “He wants the best for the team, he loves to be with his team-mates and he loves to have fun with all the staff around the team. He's a very easy-going superstar.” With Haaland unsurprisingly used as the focal point of Norway's attack, Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth has often been required to play deeper than he does at club level. Solbakken reserved special praise for Sorloth’s versatility.
“Alexander brings a lot of physicality, and he's a loyal player that can play in different positions up front,” Solbakken explained. “Sometimes he plays together with Erling, sometimes he plays a little to the right. He's a goal threat, but he's also an assist threat. But the best thing is that he works so hard for the team, sometimes in a position that he maybe doesn't prefer.”
At the World Cup, Norway will be hoping that Haaland, Sorloth and co. pick up where they left off in qualifying. Solbakken’s side on their way to the upcoming showpiece but have been handed a tricky draw — with Qatar 2022 finalists France, Iraq and Senegal and awaiting in Group I.
“When you get to the World Cup for the first time in many years, I don't think you should think about the expectations too much,” Solbakken said. “You have to take them with you, and hopefully we can play in the same manner we played in the qualification games.
“I don't think we have anything to fear, but having said that, we are in a very hard group against maybe one of the favourites so it will be very tough no matter what.”
Despite Solbakken’s desire to write a new chapter in Norway’s history, he remains a part of one of his country’s greatest football moments.
In the final Group A match of the 1998 World Cup, Norway stunned reigning champions Brazil as late goals from Tore Andre Flo and Kjetil Rekdal secured , which included the likes of Bebeto, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo.
Norway went on to lose to Italy in the Round of 16 but the triumph over Brazil remains one of the country’s defining football achievements.
“I think that was something everyone had dreamt about,” reflects Solbakken, who played in Norway’s second game against Scotland but was an unused substitute against Brazil. "The game was in Marseille and there [were] a lot of Norwegian spectators there, and obviously Brazil was one of the favourites to win the whole competition.
“They [made it] also to the final, so we had so [many] emotions… I think that is the game that everyone in Norway was talking about until maybe the two Italy games in this qualification.”
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Norway have emerged as many fans’ ‘dark horse’ pick to reach the latter stages of the tournament, though Solbakken is a little uncomfortable with the tag.
“I don't think we are dark horses to get all the way,” he said. “I think we are dark horses in terms of, on our day, we can maybe beat a stronger opponent. But to say that we are dark horses for the whole tournament is too far.
“We are in a very hard group. Obviously, France is a big favourite in that group and then the other three countries have to fight for second place and third place. I think it will be very tight and hopefully we have the organisation and the match-winners to get through.”
Solbakken is convinced that if Norway play their best, they can progress to the Round of 32 and possibly beyond. However, he is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to his ultimate ambition for the team.
“For Norway, this is the World Cup to express themselves - to show the world that we play, maybe, a different kind of football than what we have done before, and that we are an offensive team with good individuals that work hard for each other.
“My dream scenario? I won't talk about it, because my dreams are for myself. But hopefully we can get the best out of the team and on our day, then we can beat anyone.”
Sources: FIFA Official
