Norway captain Erling Haaland believes his country’s impressive performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has laid the foundation for a new era in Norwegian football, insisting that the team has now “put Norway on the map” on the global stage.
Reflecting on the campaign in comments published by FIFA, Haaland expressed immense pride in the progress made by the national team while calling for consistency as they build towards future international tournaments.
“I think after this tournament, we’ve put Norway on the map, so to speak. Now it’s about maintaining those standards. I’m incredibly proud,” Haaland said.
The Manchester City striker highlighted Norway’s memorable victory over Brazil as one of the defining moments of their campaign, describing it as proof that the Scandinavian nation can compete with football’s traditional powerhouses.
We proved that it’s possible to beat one of the biggest teams in the world, Brazil. We lost to England in the end, but we made them fight for it. Perhaps it could have gone differently.”
Norway’s journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was one of the tournament’s standout stories. Returning to the world’s biggest football stage after years away, the Norwegians exceeded expectations with disciplined performances, fearless attacking football, and a squad filled with emerging talent.
A landmark victory over five-time world champions Brazil announced Norway as genuine contenders, while their narrow defeat to England demonstrated how close they are to competing with the elite countries. Although their campaign ended before reaching the final, Norway earned widespread praise for their resilience, tactical organisation, and fearless approach against higher-ranked opponents.
The tournament also showcased the country’s exciting new generation, with Haaland leading a talented squad determined to establish Norway as a consistent force in international football.
Looking ahead, the 24-year-old remains optimistic that the team’s achievements are only the beginning.
We’ve got more World Cups and Euros ahead of us; I think it’s time for us to really establish ourselves. We’ve got a fantastic generation.”