FIFA World Cup 2026 Norway: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Norway are back. After 28 years away from football’s biggest stage, Ståle Solbakken’s side roared into the 2026 World Cup with one of the most dominant qualifying campaigns Europe has ever seen. They drew France, Senegal, and Iraq in Group I. A group with a world champion on one side and a sleeping giant ready to wake on the other.
Norway make their fourth World Cup appearance and their first since 1998. Solbakken has managed the national side since 2020 and finally delivers the tournament he was hired to reach. They arrive ranked 31st in the world as of April 1, 2026, a fair reflection of a squad that finished UEFA qualifying with a perfect eight wins from eight.
Erling Haaland scored 16 goals in those eight qualifiers. That number alone tells you everything about why Norway are in North America this summer.
Norway World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Norway are based on the US East Coast, where matches fall late at night in Norwegian time. Norway observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2. The June 16 and June 22 matches kick off past midnight in Norway. Only the June 26 clash with France falls at a reasonable evening hour back home.
| Date | Opponent | Time (Norway / CEST) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, June 16 | Iraq | 00:00 (Wed, June 17) | 6:00 PM | Boston Stadium |
| Mon, June 22 | Senegal | 02:00 (Tue, June 23) | 8:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| Fri, June 26 | France | 21:00 | 3:00 PM | Boston Stadium |
The June 26 fixture against France is the group decider. Top two advance automatically to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams also advance. Check the full World Cup 2026 schedule for all Group I timings.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Norway
NRK holds the free-to-air rights to all 104 matches in Norway for the 2026 World Cup. Matches will broadcast across NRK1, NRK2, and NRK3. NRK is entirely free to access for anyone in Norway. No subscription needed.
TV 2 shares the overall rights package with NRK and airs matches on TV 2 Direkte. Watching TV 2’s coverage requires a subscription through RiksTV. TV 2’s streaming platform, TV 2 Play, is available on iOS and Android and lets subscribers catch any missed fixtures.
For the Norway national team matches specifically, NRK is the broadcaster fans should head to first. It is free and widely available across smart TVs, computers, and mobile devices via the NRK TV streaming service.
How to Stream World Cup 2026 Norway
NRK TV streams all NRK broadcasts free of charge inside Norway. Download the app on any iOS or Android device, or watch via browser at nrk.no. No account required. TV 2 Play covers TV 2’s share of matches and requires a paid subscription.
Both platforms offer catch-up viewing. FIFA+ provides free global streaming of selected matches via FIFA+, though availability for Norway’s specific games may vary. Check both platforms before each match day.
How to Listen to World Cup 2026 Norway
NRK Radio carries live commentary for all Norway matches. Streams are available through the NRK TV app and nrk.no. Norwegian fans travelling to the US can catch live audio in Norwegian regardless of local TV coverage.
Norway World Cup History and Record
Norway have made three previous World Cup appearances before 2026, in 1938, 1994, and 1998. Their overall record across those eight matches reads two wins, three draws, and three losses, with seven goals scored and eight conceded. The best finish was the Round of 16 in 1998, when they eliminated eventual runners-up Brazil in the group stage before losing to Italy in the knockout round.
Tournament Results
| Year | Stage | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Round of 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1994 | Group Stage | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Overall Stats (Pre-2026)
| Appearances | W | D | L | GF | GA | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | Round of 16 (1998) |
1938: Norway faced Italy in a one-game knockout format and lost 2-1 after extra time. It was their debut on the world stage, and they would not return for 56 years. Italy went on to win the tournament.
1994: Norway’s comeback after six decades was a mixed bag in the United States. They beat Mexico 1-0 but drew with Ireland and lost to Italy. They went out at the group stage on goal difference, a frustrating exit given they were eliminated by the narrowest of margins.
1998: The peak. Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in Marseille in one of the great World Cup shocks, with Kjetil Rekdal’s penalty sealing the win. They also drew with Morocco and Scotland to finish second in their group. Their run ended against Italy in the Round of 16, a 1-0 defeat. Norway are one of the very few teams to hold a positive record against Brazil in World Cup football.
Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group I is the most talked-about group of the tournament. France are the clear favourites. But Norway’s draw with Senegal and Iraq on either side of that France game gives Solbakken a real shot at winning the group. Beat Iraq and Senegal, and Norway could head into the France match with qualification already secured.
The tactical setup is built around one idea: get the ball to Erling Haaland. Solbakken uses a 4-3-3 structure where the wide attackers push in to create central density and free space for Haaland’s runs in behind. Martin Ødegaard operates as the deep-lying creative hub, reading the game from a slightly withdrawn position and spraying passes to the forwards.
He battled knee and shoulder injuries through the second half of the Arsenal season but returned to fitness in April, completing 90 minutes against Manchester City. If he carries that form into the summer, Norway’s ceiling rises sharply.
Alexander Sørloth at Atlético Madrid gives Solbakken a powerful physical alternative. Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig) provides pace and unpredictability on the left flank. Oscar Bobb, who completed a £27m move to Fulham from Manchester City in January 2026, offers clever movement and the ability to arrive late in the box. Norway have rare depth for a nation of their size.
The weakness is defensive fragility when pressed high. Qualifying opponents rarely had the quality to exploit it, but France certainly will. Senegal, too, have the physicality to cause problems from set pieces. Norway’s back four will be tested in ways the qualifying campaign never asked of them.
A realistic projection: Norway advance to the Round of 32 as runners-up in Group I. Win one knockout match and they reach the Round of 16, matching their best-ever tournament finish. With Haaland in this form, going further is not a fantasy. Visit the Group I page for standings and live updates.
Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Norway in at the 2026 World Cup?
Norway are in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq. Their group stage matches run from June 16 to June 26, 2026.
When is Norway’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Norway’s opening match is against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Kick-off is at 6:00 PM ET (midnight CEST, June 17) at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
How did Norway qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Norway won UEFA qualifying Group I with a perfect record: eight wins, zero draws, zero losses, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five. They clinched qualification with a 4-1 win away at Italy on November 16, 2025.
How can I watch Norway’s World Cup games for free?
NRK holds free-to-air rights in Norway for the 2026 World Cup. All Norway matches will be available to stream for free via the NRK TV app or at nrk.no, without any subscription or account required.
Who is the Norway head coach?
Ståle Solbakken has managed Norway since 2020. He is the first coach to take Norway to a World Cup in nearly 30 years, having guided the team through a dominant qualifying campaign.
What is Norway’s best World Cup finish?
Norway’s best finish is the Round of 16, reached at the 1998 World Cup in France. They beat Brazil 2-1 in the group stage before losing 1-0 to Italy in the first knockout round.
Do I need a visa to watch Norway at the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Norwegian passport holders travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. You will need a valid ESTA authorization before departure. Check entry requirements at the US State Department visa page.
Who are Norway’s key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) is the central figure after scoring 16 qualifying goals. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) captains the side from midfield. Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid) provides a powerful striking alternative. Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig) and Oscar Bobb (Fulham) add pace and creativity on the flanks.
World Cup 2026 Norway arrives carrying genuine ambition, not just grateful to be back. This squad has the firepower to beat anyone on their day, and Haaland on the global stage is a prospect that should excite every football fan. Group I will not be quiet.
