The Norwegian Football Federation has officially announced its definitive 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, selecting Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard to lead the national team. This tournament marks a historic milestone for the Nordic nation, as Norway has successfully qualified for football’s global showpiece event for the first time since 1998, effectively ending a 28-year absence from the competition.
In a unique cultural and promotional gesture, the official squad announcement was delivered via a special pre-recorded video broadcast by the 89-year-old monarch of Norway, King Harald V. The royal address confirmed that midfield playmaker Martin Ødegaard, who recently secured the English Premier League title with Arsenal, will serve as the captain of the squad throughout the multi-week tournament.
Squad Composition and Uncapped Inclusions
The 26-man roster assembled by the national coaching staff balances established elite European stars with emerging young talents. Alongside high-profile names such as Haaland and Ødegaard, the squad features prominent English Premier League assets, including Fulham’s Oscar Bobb and Crystal Palace forward Jørgen Strand Larsen.
A notable inclusion in the goaltending department of the roster is the uncapped Hamburger SV goalkeeper Sander Tangvik. Despite having never made a formal international appearance for the senior men’s national side, the young goalkeeper was selected to fill the final spot, providing critical depth to the Nordic squad’s defensive line.
Complete 26-Man Final World Cup Roster
The finalized composition of the Norwegian national squad across all positional units is structured as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Ørjan Håskjold Nyland (Sevilla FC)
Egil Selvik (Watford FC)
Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV)
Defenders:
Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund)
Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino FC)
David Møller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Fredrik Bjørkan (FK Bodø/Glimt)
Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford FC)
Torbjørn Heggem (Bologna FC)
Leo Skiri Østigård (Genoa CFC)
Sondre Langås (Derby County FC)
Henrik Falchener (Viking FK)
Midfielders:
Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal FC — Captain)
Sander Berge (Fulham FC)
Fredrik Aursnes (SL Benfica)
Patrick Berg (FK Bodø/Glimt)
Kristian Thorstvedt (US Sassuolo Calcio)
Morten Thorsby (US Cremonese)
Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers FC)
Forwards:
Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City FC)
Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid)
Jørgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace FC)
Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig)
Oscar Bobb (Fulham FC)
Andreas Schjelderup (SL Benfica)
Jens Petter Hauge (FK Bodø/Glimt)
Tournament Fixtures and Group Stage Schedule
Norway will officially initiate its international World Cup campaign on 16 June, opening their group stage fixtures against Iraq in the United States city of Boston. Following their initial competitive encounter against the Asian nation, the Nordic team faces successive group fixtures against African representatives Senegal and the traditional footballing heavyweights France.
| Match Date | Opponent | Match Location |
| 16 June | Iraq | Boston, United States |
| TBD | Senegal | TBD |
| TBD | France | TBD |
Tournament Launch: 16 June — Norway vs Iraq (Boston)
The national coaching staff and football federation officials confirmed that all regulatory administrative paperwork has been submitted to FIFA, locking in the 26 selected athletes to participate in the upcoming multi-week tournament, where the squad aims to progress beyond the primary group stage parameters.
