After 26 years, Norway is back in a World Cup finals. On Friday, December 5, Ståle Solbakken and the national team will find out who awaits in the group stage. FIFA has now confirmed the pots – and revealed a new move that could change everything.
World Cup move that changes everything
FIFA has decided that the four highest-ranked teams, Spain, Argentina, England and France, will be placed so that they cannot meet until the semi-finals.
A new move that ensures that the biggest giants can hold out as long as possible – and that the world stars are likely to be on the field until the end.
In short: rigged for drama, big fights and the most TV ratings possible.
Norway – narrowly missing out on pot 2
Norway ends up in pot 3, but is ranked highest there.
We were actually one goal away from sneaking up to level two.
When Bosnia led against Austria in the last qualifying match, everything looked promising. But an equalizer in the 77th minute sent Austria past Norway in the FIFA rankings – and that's where the pot went.
This means we are still in pot 3, but it also means one thing:
No one wants to face Norway.
What the pots look like
Pot 1
Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2
Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3
Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4
Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European playoff winners and two intercontinental playoff winners
42 teams ready – six tickets left
FIFA has confirmed that 42 of the 48 teams have already qualified.
The final six places will be decided in March and April, when the playoffs are completed.
All playoff winners automatically end up in pot 4, which means that Norway could theoretically face anything from Italy to Cape Verde.
The Dream Group
Canada
Iran
Cape Verde
Norway
A manageable group with good chances of advancing.
Nightmare group
Brazil
Croatia
Saudi Arabia
Norway
Then it will be blood, sweat and prayers from the first kick.
Now it's happening
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest World Cup ever – three host countries, 48 teams and an insane amount of pressure on everyone involved.
On Friday, December 5th at 5:00 PM, we will get the answer:
Who is waiting for Norway in our first World Cup since 1998?
No matter who is standing there – this time we are not traveling just to participate.
We travel to fight.
