An approachable World Cup guide: Norway

• Other than all the things else, the Norwegian group is simply actually massive. Norway incorporates a 26-man squad during which 14 of its gamers stand no less than 6-foot-2. Forwards like Haaland (6-foot-5), Alexander Sørloth (6-foot-5), and Jørgen Strand Larsen (6-foot-4) loom over opposing defenses. However Norway has peak throughout the group (center-back Kristoffer Ajer is 6-foot-6, whereas heart midfielder Sander Berge is 6-foot-5). Opponents making an attempt to mark Norway on set items can have their arms full.
• The group’s head coach is Ståle Solbakken, who has been in cost since 2020. Initially a participant, Solbakken skilled an odd and terrifying episode in March, 2001 whereas enjoying in England. He suffered a coronary heart assault whereas on the sphere for coaching, and was pronounced useless when his coronary heart stopped beating. Nonetheless after “almost seven minutes” when an ambulance arrived, he was miraculously revived. It was later concluded that he had been born with a coronary heart defect, and was fitted with a pacemaker. Whereas the episode led to the top of his enjoying profession, Solbakken has thrived as a coach, admitting in a later interview that he “additionally is aware of that there are different, extra vital issues in life than soccer.”

What’s the group stage schedule?

• June 16: Iraq vs. Norway at 6 p.m. (Boston Stadium)
• June 22: Norway vs. Senegal at 8 p.m. (New York New Jersey Stadium)
• June 26: Norway vs. France at 3 p.m. (Boston Stadium)

Standout quote: In a weird twist, managers of two groups coming to Boston not too long ago had a minor public disagreement. It resulted from Scotland canceling a scheduled coaching sport in opposition to the Norwegians (as each groups are based mostly close to one another in North Carolina). The last-minute cancelation didn’t sit effectively with Solbakken, the Norwegian supervisor, even amid Scotland coping with sudden participant accidents from one other current pleasant.

“It was shocking to me and it’s unprofessional of Scotland,” he told reporters. “It’s unprofessional that the coach has not known as me, that they use the group supervisor and name and say it after we’ve completed coaching.

“I don’t assume the accidents they’re blaming got here from the final coaching session. That’s not the case. It’s disappointing. It’s unprofessional. However we’ve to reside with that.”

Participant to know: Erling Haaland, the towering aim machine who plies his commerce for Manchester Metropolis on the membership stage. Now 25, he’s in his prime, and arrives at a World Cup extremely motivated to make an impression (as Norway didn’t qualify for Qatar 4 years in the past). Whereas Norway are a gifted sufficient group to doubtlessly make the knockout spherical with out its star placing firing on cylinders, his providers will make the distinction in opposition to more durable assessments later within the World Cup. If he finds the suitable gear, Haaland will even be a Golden Boot contender (the award given to the participant who scores essentially the most targets).

How they could line up: Geared up with an array of attacking choices, Solbakken should confront the “good” drawback of which gamers to go away out of the lineup. Sørloth has operated in a wider function for Norway than he does for Spanish membership Atlético Madrid, however with the pure assist offered by proper again Julian Ryerson, he’ll possible drift inside towards aim when on the assault.

Skilled prediction: “Can a Haaland-inspired Norway shock the soccer world this summer time? When you’ve got Erling Braut Haaland up entrance, something is feasible.” –Simen Stamsø-Møller and Vegard Bjelland of The Guardian

Enjoyable model of their anthem: Norwegian native Astrid S sang a memorable model previous to a sport at Euro 2025.