Warning signs emerging for impressive Norway ahead of Netherlands friendly in Amsterdam
Following a period of erratic results internationally, Norway finally broke a 26-year drought in mid-November by clinching a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, doing so convincingly with a 4-1 triumph over Italy at the San Siro.
Norway led their group by six points and ended with a goal difference of 32 (37 goals for, five against).
Under Stale Solbakken, the side completed Group I qualification undefeated, winning all eight fixtures, with Manchester City forward Erling Haaland leading the charge, bagging 16 goals across those games, including a brace in the final clash against Italy.
Dubbed a 'golden generation', this squad blends solid tactics and flair up front, featuring standout efforts from talents like Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa during Solbakken's tenure. The Norwegians could well arrive at the World Cup as an underdog with quarter-final aspirations, or further, should the fixtures align nicely.
Yet, with just 83 days until Norway kicks off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough versus the Bolivia-Iraq playoff victor, mounting issues around player injuries, subpar club showings, and limited minutes threaten to undermine their tournament ambitions.
Norway's primary concern remains the unavailability of Arsenal's creative hub Odegaard. As captain, his ongoing ankle problems from September 2024 international duty and recovery have left a significant gap in midfield invention.
The playmaker has sat out at least three national team outings due to these setbacks, sparking doubts over his readiness despite his early contributions to the qualification push.
Odegaard's absence impacts more than skill; his on-field guidance is vital, and without it, Norway might falter in dictating play and generating chances centrally.
Solbakken has voiced his irritation openly, noting Odegaard's eagerness to recover. "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," Solbakken told VG.no.
Odegaard skips the Norwegian lineup for the upcoming friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday, as does Manchester City's Haaland, who requires a break.
By late March 2026, Haaland faces a tough stretch relative to his lofty benchmarks, with a noticeable drop in productivity; he has occasionally failed to break down compact defences, resulting in games where his expected goals conversion falls short of his top-tier norm.
Haaland has netted just three goals from open play in his past 19 outings over all competitions.
His unique mix of power, pace, and precision typically gives Norway an unmatched asset in tense moments where one strike can shift the tide, so Solbakken surely wants his star performer back in rhythm for the home match against Switzerland in Oslo on Tuesday.
Yet Solbakken's hurdles persist. Per NRK's and Flashscore's assessments, squad members are enduring their roughest phase since last summer. Benfica's Fredrik Aursnes, for instance, battles a left thigh muscle issue from early March 2026, unlikely to return before mid-April.
Orjan Nyland finds it hard to hold his starting role at Sevilla, fuelling talks of a departure. Left back David Moller Wolfe rarely starts at Wolverhampton Wanderers, mostly backing up Hugo Bueno.
Meanwhile, Torbjorn Heggem, Solbakken's defensive mainstay, has endured various issues, including muscle strains and back pain, sidelining him since January despite a promising Bologna campaign start.
Boasting depth and stars from Europe's elite clubs, plus a strong bench, Norway ranks among Europe's revitalised forces, poised by many experts to advance past the group phase at the World Cup, despite their inexperience in major finals.
Their forward line might thrive in World Cup scenarios, where sharp scoring and rapid counters can unsettle stout backlines. Still, with ailments, slumps, and bench time upsetting the squad's cohesion in one of the tournament's most intriguing outfits, Solbakken aims to gauge if his concerns hold water during the Netherlands and Switzerland encounters soon.