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Norway's World Cup pedigree is modest, to say the least.
With just three appearances at the finals prior to World Cup 2026, the Scandinavian nation have qualified fewer times than Iran, Bulgaria and Algeria. They have won only two games at the tournament in their history and have progressed beyond the first round just once, when they reached the last 16 in 1998.
Norway have waited 28 years for another crack at football's biggest stage, but they are back with a vengeance - and ready to show that their quality extends far beyond a certain Manchester City striker...
The star attraction for Norway
Yes, we realise we were just saying that Norway are not a one-man team - but we cannot start anywhere other than Erling Haaland.
The 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats in the Premier League are well-documented and he has brought that form onto the international stage, with an astonishing 55 goals in 50 games for his country.
Haaland was the top scorer in Europe during World Cup qualifying, finding the net 16 times in eight matches - nobody else scored more than eight - including five in an 11-1 obliteration of Moldova.
After picking up his third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons with City, he will know that carrying that prolific form into the World Cup will almost guarantee Norway go deep into the tournament.
Firepower in reserve
Norway will be desperate to keep Haaland fit throughout the tournament, but they can turn to two very able deputies if needs be.
Alexander Sorloth had a forgettable two-year spell at Crystal Palace between 2018 and 2020, but the striker has been scoring consistently in La Liga over the past three seasons, first with Villarreal and now for Atletico Madrid.
The 30-year-old's record at international level isn't bad either, with 26 goals in 72 matches putting him joint third in Norway's all-time list.
The Palace connection continues with current Eagles striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose six goals for his country include two in the 3-1 friendly win over Sweden earlier this month.
The creative spark
Oh, did we mention that Norway also boast last season's Premier League-winning captain?
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard also takes the armband for his country and his seven assists in qualifying was the most of any player in Europe.
The 27-year-old isn't Norway's only creative force, either, with right-back Julian Ryerson registering 18 assists in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund last season - including four in one match - thanks to some deadly deliveries from open play and set-pieces.
On the other flank, 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa provides plenty of threat with his dribbling ability, which earned him the nickname 'The Norwegian Neymar' as a youngster.
The supporting cast
Beyond those high-profile stars, the Norway squad includes several more recognisable names.
Fulham's former Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb showed his quality with an exciting cameo in last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Morocco, while Cottagers team-mate Sander Berge could start in central midfield.
There are more Premier League links in the form of Brentford centre-back Kristoffer Ajer and Wolves' left-back David Moller Wolfe, who between them could form half of the back four, while Rangers' Thelo Aasgaard is also in the squad.
Norway also boast three members of the Bodo/Glimt side that reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season: defender Fredrik Bjorkan, midfielder Patrick Berg and forward Jens Petter Hauge.
In the groove
If form means anything heading into a World Cup, then Norway have every reason to believe they can go far.
Stale Solbakken's side have lost just one of their past 16 matches and won all eight games in qualifying, bagging a Europe-high 37 goals - 21 of which were not scored by Haaland, by the way.
It means they are in an ideal position to attack their opening Group I game against Iraq - the weakest team in the group - on Tuesday, June 16.
A big win should all-but assure them of a place in the last 32 with two matches to spare, bolstering their confidence ahead of trickier tests against Senegal and France.
