How Far Can Norway Really Go In The World Cup? Assessing Football’s New Dark Horses

‎Norway’s 4–1 demolition of Italy in their final World Cup qualifier didn’t just secure their first appearance at the tournament since 1998 it announced them as one of international football’s most fascinating emerging forces.

‎Eight games, eight wins, and a campaign defined by belief, bravery, and breathtaking attacking talent. The victory at the San Siro felt like a defining moment a psychological barrier smashed in front of a stunned Italian crowd who expected a routine home win.

‎Pio Esposito’s early opener created tension, but from the moment Antonio Nusa responded, the Norwegians seized control and never gave it back.

‎With such momentum, a generational striker, and an exciting young core, the question suddenly doesn’t feel ridiculous:

‎Can Norway go from World Cup outsiders to genuine contenders?

‎The Erling Haaland Factor

‎It’s impossible to talk about Norway without addressing the phenomenon that is Erling Haaland. Football’s most devastating scorer delivered a scarcely believable 16 goals in eight qualifying matches equaling Robert Lewandowski’s all-time record for a World Cup qualification campaign.

‎Haaland’s numbers are absurd. He has 55 goals in 48 Norway caps, and he already has 32 goals this season for club and country.

‎He also shows a mentality that seems completely unaffected by pressure, expectation, or reputation.

‎He doesn’t just score he destabilizes entire defensive systems by his mere presence. Opponents double-mark him, drag their midfield deeper, and alter their tactical shape.

‎That creates space for Nusa, Bobb, Sørloth, and the midfield runners to exploit.

‎Even Haaland himself once gave Norway just a 0.5% chance of winning the World Cup, but he added that if it ever did happen.

‎“If we were to qualify for the World Cup, it would be like another big nation winning it. It would be the biggest party ever. Scenes in Oslo would be incredible.”

‎And even in the worst-case scenario, an injury or absence, Norway has an elite replacement in Alexander Sørloth, whose physical profile and form mean the system doesn’t collapse without Haaland.

‎Still, their true ceiling rises or falls with their talisman.

‎A Golden Generation Arriving All at Once

‎One of Norway’s most overlooked strengths is its age profile. With an average age of just 25.8, this is a team with energy, ambition, and talent still years away from its peak.

‎Antonio Nusa

‎Nusa, 20, is thriving at RB Leipzig after years of promise. His goal against Italy, a calm, clinical finish past Donnarumma, was his sixth for the national team and the spark that dismantled the four-time World Cup champions.

‎With pace, trickery, and growing maturity, he is the perfect foil for Haaland on the left flank.

‎Oscar Bobb

‎After recovering from a brutal leg break last season, Bobb has broken into the Manchester City starting XI, making five Premier League starts already. His assist for Haaland against Italy showed his intelligence and technical quality.

‎Together, Bobb and Nusa give Norway something they have lacked for decades: game-changing wingers capable of beating defenders and creating chaos.

‎A Defence That Doesn’t Get the Credit It Deserves

‎With Haaland dominating headlines, Norway’s defensive solidity has flown under the radar but it may be the biggest reason they are World Cup dark horses.

‎They conceded just five goals in qualifying and finished with an outrageous +32 goal difference.

‎The Midfield Shield

‎Sander Berge and Patrick Berg set the tone by pressing relentlessly, cutting passing lanes, and protecting their centre-backs. Their work rate allows the team to commit numbers forward without becoming exposed.

‎Ajer & Heggem

‎Kristoffer Ajer, long considered one of Norway’s earliest prodigies, has evolved into a complete modern defender.

‎He has won 23 duels, made nine tackles, 36 recoveries, and six interceptions. Torbjørn Heggem complements him perfectly, matching his aggression and reading of the game: 24 duels won, nine tackles won, and 20 recoveries.

‎Together, they’ve formed a partnership built on timing, trust, and an impressive calmness under pressure.

‎Several teams, such as England, Spain, and France, are still ahead of Norway in terms of overall quality, but with a favourable draw and a bit of luck in the big moments, they should at least be considered dark horses.