NORGE:
LØVENE OF NORWAY
It had to be him. Erling Braut Haaland. These scriptwriters are up to something this tournament, I swear. Between him, Mbappé, and a Messi Hat-trick, it’s all starting to pop off at the 2026 World Cup.
28 years, though. That's how long Norway have waited to return to the greatest man-made footballing spectacle. With this being their first World Cup since 1998, some may think it was a stroke of luck or an easy qualifying run in that helped them get here. Well, it was easy for the Vikings, but not for those reasons. They’re just good.
8 wins from 8, 37 scored and 5 conceded, one of only a handful of European nations in history to go through a campaign this perfect. So how’s that translating?
Really well.
Sure, it’s one game. But that’s a theme I’m running with so far. You only get a few games every 4 years to showcase what you’re all about on the pitch, and you have to take advantage of the moment.
They’re accompanied by a culture that travels well, this Norwegian stoicism, the cold-weather grit, and a footballing identity built on collective will and a man named Erling Haaland. At 25 years old, he’s probably the most clinical striker in front of goal on the planet. Finally arriving at his first World Cup after his heroics dragged his country to North America almost single-handedly. With Ødegaard the playmaker behind him, speed and ingenuity on the wings, and an intimidating force up top, Norway are on course to land on these shores and make a run for it.
A generation that grew up watching everyone else go to the big dance, arrive at last with a generational No. 9 of their own, leading the line. A Summer to remember incoming.
🇳🇴 ⚔️
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Just under 90 minutes until we see whether Ronaldo can make a statement of his own! Argentina, France, Norway, Japan… I’m salivating at what we’re going to see in the last 32
He did great in the game, popling up when it mattered most despite not seeing much of the ball. I think the whole team played well in patches, but there were points where Iraq did have the better of them.
As you said though, it's only the first couple of games. I would expect them to do pretty well. Considering this is their first World Cup since 1998, they've been outstanding, this is definitely their golden generation. 8 wins out of 8, 37 goals and only conceded 5? They're no joke. Great read as always 🙌🏾🙌🏾