Key Takeaways:
- Norway will face the Netherlands in an away friendly on 27 March, followed by a home match against Switzerland four days later
- The Norwegian side secured 2026 World Cup qualification with eight victories and 37 goals in the qualifiers, the highest tally in Europe
- In the World Cup group stage, Norway will compete against France, Senegal, and the playoff winner between Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname
Preparations for North American Campaign
Norway has announced upcoming international friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland in March as part of their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. These matches will serve as vital tests for the squad, which is spearheaded by prolific forward Erling Haaland.
OFFICIAL: Oranje plays Norway 🇳🇴 and Ecuador 🇪🇨 in March while building towards the #FIFAWorldCup!#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/wAwWsSEIht
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) December 8, 2025
Impressive Qualification Run
The Norwegians made a dominant return to World Cup competition, booking their place in the 2026 tournament with eight qualifying wins and a remarkable tally of 37 goals. This scoring record stands as the highest amongst European teams in the qualifiers, underlining Norway’s attacking prowess.
| Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 27 March | Away |
| Switzerland | 31 March | Oslo |
World Cup Group Stage Challenges
In the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, Norway have been drawn against two-time champions France, Senegal, and the winner of a playoff contest featuring Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname. This marks Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, adding historical significance to their campaign.
