Country profile
Norway
Kingdom of Norway
Key facts
Capital
Oslo
Population
5,500,000
Confederation
UEFA
FIFA code
NOR
Overview
Norway is a long, mountainous Nordic nation of fjords, midnight sun and fewer than six million people, stretching along the western edge of the Scandinavian peninsula. Famed for its dramatic coastline, oil wealth and outdoor culture, it punches far above its population in winter sports.
Football, though, has always been the people's passion even when results lagged behind ambition. From snowbound village pitches to the roar of Ullevaal Stadion, the game binds communities through the dark winters.
Now, with the most talented squad in its history, Norwegian football is enjoying a golden renaissance that has captured the entire nation.
Football culture
Football is Norway's most popular participation sport, with a deep grassroots structure feeding clubs nationwide. Fans are passionate yet famously self-deprecating after decades of qualification heartbreak. The recent rise of Bodø/Glimt and exports to Europe's elite has reignited national pride.
World Cup history
Norway have reached only three World Cups (1938, 1994 and 1998), with the 1998 round-of-16 run — including a famous win over Brazil — their finest hour. Long droughts followed, and they missed out on every tournament since. Qualifying for 2026 ends a 28-year absence from the biggest stage.
Location
Did you know
- Norway have never lost a competitive match to Brazil.
- The midnight sun means summer football can be played at 2am.
- Erling Haaland was born in Leeds while his father played in England.
- Bodø/Glimt play at the world's most northerly top-flight stadium.
- Norway boasts one of the highest football participation rates per capita in Europe.
From Wikipedia
Kingdom of Norway fields one of the 48 national teams contesting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Source: Wikipedia →