After years of inconsistency on the international stage, Norway, in mid-November, ended a 26-year wait to return to the FIFA World Cup, securing qualification for the 2026 tournament in style with a 4-1 victory over Italy at the San Siro.
Norway dominated their group, topping the table by six points and finishing with a goal difference of 32 (37 goals scored, five conceded).
Stale Solbakken's outfit finished their Group I qualifiers with a flawless record of eight wins out of eight matches as Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was the focal point of the attack, netting 16 goals in eight qualifying matches, including two late goals in the deciding game against Italy.
Labelled with a 'golden generation' tag, the team has showcased a balance of tactical discipline and attacking talent, with key contributions from players like Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa under the reign of coach Sobakken. Indeed, the Norwegians will enter the World Cup as a dark horse with the potential to reach the quarter-finals, and possibly beyond if the schedule breaks in their favour.
However, with exactly 83 days to go before Norway enters the field at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough for their opening game at the World Cup against the playoff winner of Bolivia and Iraq, a larger crisis is slowly gathering pace in terms of injuries to key players, current poor club performances, and lack of playing time which potentially could derail Norway's World Cup hopes.
Norway's biggest problem is undoubtedly the absence of Arsenal playmaker Odegaard. The absence of the captain, largely due to ankle injuries sustained while on international duty in September 2024 and subsequent rehabilitation, creates a major creative void in Norway’s midfield.
The midfielder has now missed at least three matches for his country because of injury, raising questions about his fitness and availability after he played a key role for the Norwegians at the start of their World Cup campaign.
Odegaard will certainly be missed, not just for his technical ability but also for his leadership on the pitch, and without his influence, Norway may struggle to maintain the same level of control and creativity in midfield.
Solbakken has openly expressed his frustration at the situation, highlighting how keen Odegaard is on returning. "He is very frustrated and grumpy. He has not been involved since we beat Moldova 11-1. It is his last international match. He was not on the field against Israel, Estonia, or Italy. It is clear that it hurts," said Solbakken to VG.no.
Odegaard is also not part of the Norwegian squad that faces the Netherlands in a friendly on Friday in Amsterdam, while Manchester City striker Haaland also misses out. According to Solbakken, he needs rest.
As of late March 2026, Haaland is experiencing a challenging period by his own exceptionally high standards, marked by an uncharacteristic dip in his usually superb output as he occasionally has struggled to make the difference against low-block defences, which has led to a string of matches where his expected goals (xG) conversion rate has dipped below his elite career average.
Haaland has scored only three goals from open play in his last 19 appearances across all competitions.
His unrivalled combination of size, speed, and finishing ability usually awards Norway with a weapon that very few national teams can equal, particularly in high-pressure situations where a single goal can make all the difference, so Solbakken will no doubt hope to see his biggest ace return to form when Norway hosts Switzerland in Oslo on Tuesday.
But the challenges do not stop there for Solbakken. According to NRK's and Flashscore's ratings, players within the Norwegian squad are going through their worst spell since last summer. As such, Benfica midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is currently injured with a left thigh muscle injury sustained in early March 2026 and is not expected back until mid-April.
Orjan Nyland has struggled to maintain his spot as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper at Sevilla, leading to speculation about a potential exit. Left back David Moller Wolfe doesn't get consistent starting minutes at Wolverhampton Wanderers, often functioning as a backup behind Hugo Bueno.
At the same time, Torbjorn Heggem, Solbakken's new pillar in defence, has dealt with multiple ailments, described as muscle injuries and lumbago, which have kept him out of action since January after an otherwise strong start to the season at Bologna.
With an impressive strength in numbers and household names from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, as well as a fearsome supporting cast, Norway has been elevated into what many analysts now consider a rejuvenated European side capable of progressing beyond the group stage at the World Cup, even though their apparent lack of a final tournament will count against them.
The team's attacking profile could flourish in the settings of the World Cup, where efficient finishing and quick transitions can disrupt even the most organised defences. But with injuries, poor form, and lack of playing time disrupting the harmony within one of the World Cup's most exciting teams, coach Solbakken will be keen to get an impression on whether his worries are well justified as Norway prepares to do battle with the Netherlands and Switzerland in the coming days.