Norway

Norway, known as Røde, Hvite, Blå (Red, White and Blue), are a UEFA member side governed by the Norges Fotballforbund. After qualifying for three World Cups (1938, 1994, 1998) and one European Championship (2000), they endured a 26-year absence from major tournaments before returning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, spearheaded by all-time top scorer Erling Haaland.

Norway played their first international on 12 July 1908, losing 3–11 to Sweden in Gothenburg. An early high point came at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where the side won a bronze medal. Two years later, Norway made their first World Cup appearance in France, reaching the Round of 16 before elimination.

The team's most celebrated era came in the 1990s under coach Egil 'Drillo' Olsen. Qualifying for consecutive World Cups in 1994 and 1998, Norway famously beat Brazil at France 98 and briefly reached the FIFA world No. 2 ranking. A further qualification for Euro 2000 completed the golden generation's legacy.

Following Euro 2000, Norway missed twelve successive major tournaments. The emergence of Erling Haaland — the nation's all-time top scorer with 55 goals — and a golden generation including captain Martin Ødegaard drove qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ending the long drought.