Teams · Group I
Norway
Løvene (The Lions)
Norway end a long World Cup absence stretching back to 1998, powered by one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world and a supporting cast of Premier League talent.
Norway’s group path
Norway starts in Group I with France, Senegal, Iraq. They enter the group as the #3 team by MatchupSim power rating, which makes the finishing position especially important: first place, second place and a possible third-place route can each send them into a very different round-of-32 matchup.
Key facts
- Confederation
- Europe (UEFA)
- Group
- Group I · power-ranked #3 of 4
- World Cup titles
- 0
- Best finish
- Round of 16 (1998)
- Qualified via
- UEFA qualifying
- Power rating (PWR)
- 77 · Elo 1790
- Manager
- Ståle Solbakken
Players to watch
- Erling Haaland — Striker (Manchester City)
- Martin Ødegaard — Captain, midfield (Arsenal)
- Alexander Sørloth — Forward (Atlético Madrid)
Group I opponents
Group-stage fixtures
2026 outlook
With elite firepower up front, Norway are a dangerous outsider capable of upsetting the order in Group I.
Prediction angles to test
Start with a favorites run, then test one aggressive version where Norway wins Group I and one conservative version where they finish lower in the table. Comparing those paths shows whether their best chance comes from group control, a softer runner-up route, or surviving as one of the best third-place teams.
Simulate Norway’s World Cup
Think Norway can go all the way — or crash out early? Set their Group I finish in the simulator and watch the bracket re-wire around your call, or build a full prediction all the way to the final.