Norway has participated in the qualification for 18 FIFA World Cup tournaments and have appeared in the main tournament four times, in 1938, 1994, 1998, and 2026. In 2026, the team underwent their deepest run at a World Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history at the 2026 World Cup.
Background Norway's two appearances in the 1990s were built on the direct style of manager Egil Olsen, who favoured long passes, compact defending and rapid counter-attacks. Drawing on the goal-scoring analysis of statistician Charles Reep, the approach carried Norway to second in the FIFA World Rankings in the mid-1990s.
The return in 2026 ended a 28-year absence, the country's first appearance since 1998. Led by Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals in UEFA qualifying, Norway secured their place with a 4–1 win over Italy in Milan.
Record at the FIFA World Cup Overall record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1930 Did not enter 1934 1938 Round of 16 12th 1 0 0 1 1 2 1950 Did not enter 1954 Did not qualify 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 Group stage 17th 3 1 1 1 1 1 1998 Round of 16 15th 4 1 2 1 5 5 2002 Did not qualify 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 2026 Quarter-finals 5th 6 4 0 2 13 11 2030 To be determined 2034Total: 4/23 Quarter-finals 5th 14 6 3 5 20 19 *Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out
By match World CupRoundOpponentScoreResultVenueNorway scorers1938Round of 161–2 LMarseilleA. Brustad 1994Group stage1–0WWashington, D.C.K. Rekdal 0–1LEast Rutherford0–0DEast Rutherford1998Group stage2–2DMontpellierY. Chippo , D. Eggen 1–1DBordeauxH. Flo 2–1WMarseilleT.A. Flo , K. Rekdal Round of 160–1LMarseille2026Group stage4–1WFoxboroughE. Haaland , L. Østigård , A. Hussein 3–2 W East Rutherford M. Pedersen , E. Haaland 1–4LFoxborough T. Aasgaard Round of 32 2–1 W Arlington A. Nusa , E. Haaland Round of 16 2–1 W East Rutherford E. Haaland Quarter-finals 1–2 L Miami Gardens A. Schjelderup
Record by opponent FIFA World Cup matches (by team)OpponentWinsDrawsLossesTotalGoals ScoredGoals Conceded200242001112001114100141003314100121100110010122010100010111100132
Match records
1938 FIFA World Cup
Squad
First round
1994 FIFA World Cup
Squad
Group stage
1998 FIFA World Cup
Squad
Group stage
Round of 16
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group stage
Knockout stage
Round of 32
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Player records
Most appearances RankPlayerMatchesWorld Cups1Henning Berg71994 and 1998Stig Inge Bjørnebye71994 and 1998Kjetil Rekdal71994 and 19984Øyvind Leonhardsen61994 and 1998Erik Mykland61994 and 1998Fredrik Aursnes62026Patrick Berg62026Oscar Bobb62026Antonio Nusa62026Andreas Schjelderup62026
Goalscorers Player Goals 1938 1994 1998 2026Erling Haaland 7 7 Kjetil Rekdal 2 1 1 Arne Brustad 11 Dan Eggen 1 1 Håvard Flo 1 1 Tore André Flo 1 1Leo Østigård 1 1Marcus Holmgren Pedersen 1 1Thelo Aasgaard 1 1Antonio Nusa 1 1Andreas Schjelderup 1 1Own goals 2 1 1 Total 20 1 1 5 13
See also Norway at the UEFA European Championship
References
Reports