England's World Cup opponents: Norway in profile

Head coach: Stale Solbakken

Last meeting: England 1-0 Norway, 3 September 2014

England will meet Norway for the first time at a major tournament when they go head-to-head in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.

This is only Norway’s fourth appearance at the World Cup and their first in 28 years. Prior to this summer’s tournament, they had won only two games on football’s biggest stage.

They have already surpassed their best ever performance - round of 16 exits in 1938 and 1998 - and have won more games during the 2026 edition than in their entire history combined.

England have played Norway 12 times since their first meeting back in 1937, with the Three Lions winning on seven occasions, drawing three times and losing twice.

The head coach

Ståle Solbakken has been in charge of Norway since late 2020, having taken the job after seven years as the head coach of Danish side Copenhagen.

The 58-year-old Norwegian, who had a brief spell as Wolves manager in 2012-13, represented the national team himself 58 times between 1994 and 2000. He was forced to retire from playing in 2001 after suffering a heart attack.

Solbakken favours using his technical players to control the tempo of games, but they also have the joint-tallest squad at the World Cup, making them a threat from set-pieces.

The head coach tends to use a 4-3-3 formation, with star man Erling Haaland supported by Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa. He admits that their quality in attack means they "feel confident imposing a more attacking approach even against traditionally stronger nations".

Key players to watch

Norway’s current crop has been dubbed their ‘Golden generation’, and there is nobody who epitomises that more than Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.

The striker is currently level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot after bagging seven goals at the tournament so far, and he has also now scored in 14 consecutive international matches.

Haaland is flanked by Antonio Nusa, who has been labelled the ‘Norwegian Neymar’ due to his dribbling ability and flair down Norway’s left side.

The 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger has only found the back of the net once in North America, but his pace and close control will make him a threat in Miami.

Norway will be led out by their captain, Martin Odegaard, in Florida on Saturday, with the Arsenal star relishing the role of chief creator for Solbakken’s side.

The midfielder has already managed three assists at the tournament, having made seven goals in just five appearances during qualifying - the most of any player in Europe.

Recent results

Norway set up Saturday’s game at Miami Stadium with a statement win over Brazil in the round of 16, defeating the five-time winners 2-1 thanks to a double from Haaland.

It was a deserved win for Solbakken’s side, who had an early goal ruled out for offside and saw goalkeeper Orjan Nyland save a penalty from Bruno Guimaraes in the 15th minute.

Prior to their victory over the Selecao, Norway knocked out Cote d'Ivoire in the round of 32 with Haaland on the scoresheet again after Nusa’s opener.

They came second in Group I after winning their first two games against Iraq and Senegal 4-1 and 3-2 respectively, before resting the majority of their regular starting XI in a 4-1 defeat to France.

Norway’s World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).

Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).

Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).