Solbakken gets the desired opposition in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup
Norway will finally get to hone their skills against top opposition again. In the spring of 2026, there will be private international matches against both the Netherlands and Switzerland – two nations that both dominated their qualifying groups for the World Cup.
Tough and correct matching
The first match will be played away against the Netherlands on March 27, before Switzerland awaits in Ullevaal four days later, on March 31. National team manager Ståle Solbakken is very pleased with the setup:
– These are attractive opponents. Two traditional playoff teams that both won their qualifying groups overwhelmingly. Now we get to test ourselves against some of the best, says Solbakken.For Norway, this is worth its weight in gold. After a qualifier with many matches against weaker teams, it is now time to measure up against World Cup-level opposition – just what Solbakken needs to adjust the details before the serious action begins.
Important for the road to the World Cup
With Haaland, Ødegaard and Sörloth up front, and an increasingly cohesive team behind them, Norway is on its way to its first World Cup participation since 1998.
Matches like this are not just about results – but about building routine and confidence against the best.– "It's games like this that lift us up. You learn more in one night against the Netherlands than in three against the Faroe Islands," a smiling Solbakken told NRK.
