01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

‎d*kes!

‎It's a total collapse!

‎Everything is falling apart!

‎I've let everybody down.

‎This is so embarrassing!

‎It's like the team's just
‎knocked to the ground.

‎And so is the dream of getting
‎to the final tournament

‎that Ståle had promised us!

‎Everyone's going to be coming for us now,
‎but it is my responsibility.

‎Everyone wanted to fire Ståle.

‎People turned their backs on that team.

‎-You think we're going to the World Cup?
‎-Absolutely not.

‎The ball is loose! It's 1-0!

‎They're bulldozing Moldova.

‎Norway, one! A dream start at Ullevaal!

‎-...towards Haaland!
‎-It's 3-0 to Norway!

‎You just want one of those,
‎ "It's over. We're in the World Cup now."

‎Italy has never lost a home game
‎in a World Cup qualifying game before.

‎But now we have to play against Italy
‎in our very last game.

‎Antonio Nusa shoots!

‎NORWAY: THE DARK HORSE

‎EP. 2: NOW OR NEVER

‎SAN SIRO, ITALY

‎LAST QUALIFYING GAME FOR THE
‎2026 WORLD CUP - ITALY VS NORWAY

‎ITALY - NORWAY

‎San Siro is a powerful place.

‎Italy playing
‎a qualifier at home is powerful.

‎They rarely lose.

‎And they've never lost
‎such a game at San Siro.

‎ØYVIND ALSAKER
‎SPORTS COMMENTATOR TV 2

‎Hence the location.
‎They knew this was a key match.

‎Italia! Italia!

‎I'm terrified of jinxing it.

‎We're so close now...

‎but we'll save everything
‎until after the game.

‎LISE KLAVENESS
‎SOCCER PRESIDENT

‎Personally, we want to win this game
‎and move on to the championship,

‎but there's something about
‎giving it to all Norwegians...

‎LEO SKIRI ØSTIGÅRD
‎DEFENDER, GENOA CFC

‎...who've been waiting for so long,

‎and that puts extra pressure on us
‎to make that happen.

‎Most of us have been living with that
‎pressure since we were 15, 16 years old.

‎KENT "KENTA" BERGERSEN
‎ASSISTANT COACH - FORMER PLAYER

‎Every single coach

‎has fears and anxiety about failure.

‎And if I didn't experience that,

‎I'd be a worse coach.

‎-Say something, Martin.
‎-I want one last f*cking effort.

‎Ninety minutes left
‎where we f*cking give our all.

‎We haven't beaten a top nation in forever.
‎We can go through the group undefeated.

‎Let's make noise here today,
‎and make even more later.

‎Come on!

‎ITALY

‎For the first time in history, Norway will
‎be playing an international team match

‎here in this cathedral
‎of a soccer stadium.

‎Italy has never lost a home game
‎in a World Cup qualifying group round.

‎What a night this could be
‎if we could win here tonight.

‎Captain Martin Ødegaard
‎is still out with a knee injury.

‎When you're out on the field playing,
‎you're just so locked in...

‎MARTIN ØDEGAARD
‎NATIONAL TEAM CAPTAIN

‎...but watching from the rafters,
‎you're so nervous.

‎It's much worse to watch.

‎I feel for everyone who's sitting at home
‎or wherever they are.

‎Italy has probably been
‎Norway's biggest soccer nemesis.

‎That's something we've never
‎been quite able to solve.

‎But the biggest thing tonight is

‎that Norway will secure their spot
‎in the World Cup.

‎The world's best finisher, Haaland,

‎against the world's best keeper,
‎Donnarumma.

‎NORWAY

‎The Norwegian boys.

‎ "Stronger together" is their slogan.

‎The match ball is delivered.

‎We're very excited now
‎about the Norwegian team.

‎Struggling to keep up, Wolfe.
‎Another cross.

‎Good, they're taking on the duel.

‎And he loses control.

‎Moving fast there! Moving way too fast!

‎ITALY 1 - 0 NORWAY

‎And Italy gets an early lead.

‎HALFTIME
‎ITALY 1 - 0 NORWAY

‎Not a surprising lead.
‎Italy has been controlling everything.

‎Boys. Quiet now.

‎Relax, drink,
‎be ready after a short, little break.

‎It didn't feel like a soccer match.

‎Very strange.
‎We did nothing in the first half.

‎JULIAN RYERSON
‎DEFENDER

‎It couldn't have gone much worse.

‎OSCAR BOBB
‎MIDFIELDER, FULHAM

‎You got this awful feeling.

‎1-0, absolutely fine, easy.

‎Play, play, play where we can,

‎but when we go for it,
‎we have to go for it.

‎Nothing in between.
‎All of a sudden, Erling will be through.

‎Okay? Come on, now.

‎Italy was better than us.

‎Our first half was too safe, as if we were
‎scared that everything could go wrong.

‎Let's hope Norway will take
‎a few more risks after the break.

‎Good ball. Nusa.

‎A bit tricky, but he controls it.

‎Here they come. Sørloth.

‎Sørloth is inside the box. He strikes.

‎A Norwegian chance 20 seconds
‎in the second half.

‎That's a good omen.

‎There's been a duel
‎between Erling Braut Haaland and Mancini.

‎It's a bit heated.
‎And Braut is a bit heated now too.

‎And then, he starts grabbing my a*s.

‎And I'm thinking, "What are you doing?"

‎It got me a bit annoyed,
‎so I said to him...

‎A daring pass towards Thorstvedt.

‎There's Haaland. They're moving forward.

‎An entirely different approach
‎after the halftime break.

‎Nusa. Antonio Nusa inside the box.

‎ITALY 1 - 1 NORWAY

‎Antonio Nusa!

‎What a moment!

‎What a player!

‎It was unbelievable.
‎Keeping my cool was impressive.

‎ANTONIO NUSA
‎STRIKER, RB LEIPZIG

‎What a World Cup this will be!

‎Berge stops Esposito.

‎Nusa again.

‎There's Bobb.

‎Feint down to Oscar Bobb!

‎ITALY 1 - 2 NORWAY

‎Erling Braut Haaland delivers the message,

‎ "We're going to the World Cup!"

‎And Erling Braut Haaland
‎slams that ball in the net.

‎Thorsby, lots of space.
‎Dimarco trying to catch up. Now!

‎ITALY 1 - 3 NORWAY

‎And another! There's another!

‎Norway mops the floor with Italy!

‎Norway humiliates Italy in Milan,

‎where they never see defeat like this!

‎Norway shocks not only Italy,
‎but the whole soccer world at large.

‎I never thought I'd live to see this.

‎Strand Larsen, can you get in a goal now?

‎Of course you can! Yes, you can!

‎Of course you can!

‎We just can't take this anymore.
‎We need the final whistle to blow.

‎FINAL RESULT
‎ITALY 1 - 4 NORWAY

‎Gattuso 1, Solbakken 4!

‎Just look at this.

‎Look at those guys!

‎Congratulations.

‎This is huge.

‎This is how you do it.

‎Guys, we're going to the World Cup
‎with this bunch!

‎I feel like when you've pushed it to 4-1,
‎then you become a bit speechless.

‎This is content.
‎This is f*cking content, guys!

‎Erling! It's so touching.

‎I shed a couple of tears
‎before the whistle blew.

‎This is simply huge. It's amazing.

‎I couldn't relax. I didn't get the feeling
‎that we were going to the World Cup.

‎And also, it was really special,
‎because my brother...

‎ARE HOKSTAD
‎TEAM MANAGER

‎...and his son and my son
‎were in the stands.

‎Just knowing that they were there...

‎I can just feel it,
‎sitting here, telling you about it.

‎Many emotions that I thought I'd be
‎able to control in a different way.

‎It's hard to put it into words. It's huge,
‎and so nice to finally make it happen.

‎Something was removed off the shoulders
‎of the whole population when we succeeded.

‎We're finally done with this.

‎And that's why I felt
‎more relief than joy.

‎STÅLE SOLBAKKEN
‎NATIONAL TEAM COACH

‎It's something that's been
‎hanging over a whole nation

‎for a very, very long time.

‎2026 WORLD CUP

‎QUALIFIED

‎OSLO
‎NORWAY

‎CITY HALL SQUARE

‎THE FOLLOWING DAY

‎In October, when we played against Israel,

‎Erling came into my room, and he said,

‎"What do we do
‎when we qualify in November?"

‎"We need to celebrate.
‎What do we do when we're done?"

‎ "I haven't really thought about that."

‎"We're going to the World Cup now, Are.
‎We know that."

‎"We can't say it out loud,
‎but we know we're going."

‎ "We have to celebrate."
‎So we ended up going to City Hall Square.

‎Thank you.

‎Hi. Good to see you.

‎I haven't been inside City Hall before.

‎And now, we're going to the World Cup.

‎I only have...

‎Do you know how many there are?

‎It makes me so proud to be able
‎to take Norway to a championship.

‎We've gone through such bad times,
‎and a lot of those were very tough.

‎It's hard to put it into words.

‎Wait till we win the World Cup.

‎I was the only one, really,

‎who was a bit skeptical.

‎How many people would be coming
‎when it's -4 degrees

‎on a Monday night
‎outside Oslo City Hall, really?

‎Are you ready?

‎Here comes Sondre Langås!

‎It's insane. There are so many people.
‎It's awesome.

‎Ørjan Håskjold Nyland!

‎To see that many people show up

‎on a cold day in Oslo was cool.

‎Kristoffer Ajer!

‎I grew up in Rælingen and dreamt
‎of playing on the national team,

‎and then being met
‎by 50,000, 60,000 people,

‎of course it warms the heart.

‎KRISTOFFER VASSBAKK AJER
‎CENTER BACK, BRENTFORD FC

‎Aron Dønnum!

‎Antonio Nusa, ladies and gentlemen!

‎What's going on here? Is this for real?

‎I had no idea that there would be
‎so many people there.

‎Erling Braut Haaland!

‎And finally, our captain, Martin Ødegaard!

‎I think everyone was
‎pleasantly surprised over the turnout.

‎Yes, we felt that love.

‎Ståle Solbakken, ladies and gentlemen!

‎It's an exciting draw, 5th of December,

‎but I'll promise you one thing:
‎We're not going as tourists.

‎We're doing everything we can
‎for these people.

‎Could Norway win the World Cup?

‎Yes!

‎I'd just like to go home.

‎I'm done with this.
‎I just want to be by myself.

‎But I wouldn't have missed
‎the experience in Oslo for the world.

‎50,000 people, that's something
‎you'll remember for the rest of your life.

‎Imagine the adversity
‎Ståle Solbakken experienced

‎after the failure
‎at Ullevaal against Scotland.

‎They've risen up from the adversity.
‎That makes this such a powerful moment.

‎Being able to create that sense of pride

‎that Norway has qualified for
‎the World Cup and is going to the States,

‎that was great, at least for someone
‎who's been failing with this project.

‎BREDE HANGELAND
‎PLAYER MANAGER

‎When you finally get some time
‎to watch and feel that you've succeeded

‎doing something that all of Norway
‎has been waiting for for nearly 30 years,

‎it makes you feel a lot of things.

‎It was us with the people,

‎and those emotions that we've been
‎feeling due to not being able to do it.

‎Having disappointed all of Norway.

‎When you finally manage to make
‎those same people happy,

‎it's a huge moment.

‎Something we'll remember
‎the rest of our lives.

‎Norway's going to the World Cup!

‎I get that it's huge for Norway
‎to get to go to the World Cup.

‎OLOF LUNDH
‎SWEDISH SPORTS JOURNALIST

‎The 2000s were
‎so dark for Norwegian soccer.

‎But to organize a celebration
‎where you receive the heroes,

‎in gold jackets, no less.
‎Why were they wearing gold jackets?

‎We're still so far away from gold.

‎When you surpass your personal best,
‎it's worth celebrating.

‎Not when you qualify. I don't get it!

‎205 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎204 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎Good, Nusa!

‎TARIQ PANJA
‎SPORTS JOURNALIST, NEW YORK TIMES

‎And it's Alexander Sørloth!

‎Erling Braut Haaland!

‎Antonio Nusa!

‎*UNEXPECTED CHALLENGER

‎The biggest challenge for Norway

‎is that they haven't played
‎a championship for such a long time.

‎Ståle Solbakken hasn't done that either.

‎They don't have the experience.

‎If you haven't been in a big championship,
‎it's difficult to imagine what it's like.

‎Even if we played the World Cup
‎in the US as late as 1994,

‎this is unknown territory
‎for the current Norwegian national team.

‎Even if Haaland and Ødegaard
‎have participated in large events,

‎this is something entirely different.

‎How will Norway handle the pressure,
‎the attention, the occasion, the climate?

‎Norway will have tough competition
‎in the World Cup next year.

‎Norway will play against Senegal
‎and France in the group play-offs.

‎It's one out of three or four
‎of the biggest World Cup favorites,

‎so it can't get much harder than that.

‎France is complete.

‎Unreal strikers.

‎One of the few countries matching Norway

‎when it comes to
their striking abilities.

‎Mbappé. And there, he scores once!

‎Mbappé. Unbelievable talent.

‎Olise.

‎Ousmane Dembélé.

‎They probably have
‎the broadest team in the world.

‎They could fill six teams to move on
‎to the quarterfinals in the World Cup.

‎A lot of blue shirts in the box. Bam!

‎France is a formidable opponent.

‎Senegal worries me a bit more.

‎I think they're better than many realize.

‎It's a team almost devoid
‎of any weak points. They're rock solid.

‎EGIL "DRILLO" OLSEN
‎TEAM COACH, '94 & '98

‎Now everyone assumes that we'll beat them
‎easily, but I think it will be hard.

‎128 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎127 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎Wow, wow, wow.

‎I think I can get used to this.

‎Been dreaming of this my whole life.

‎Norway is on the edge of their seats.

‎It'll be insane.

‎Okay.

‎We're going to the US.
‎We're going to the World Cup.

‎The World Cup is something else.

‎We'll be doing our best,
‎just like recently.

‎It's still kind of unreal.

‎But now it's... We're getting close.

‎It's becoming a reality.

‎Playing a championship is the biggest
‎thing you can experience on the field.

‎I think about it every day.

‎We've all dreamt of the World Cup
‎since we were little.

‎This will be insanely cool.

‎Playing in front of family and friends
‎in New York it's surreal.

‎SANDER BERGE
‎MIDFIELDER, FULHAM FC

‎Hokstad!

‎Sander Berge!

‎Are you traveling now?

‎We're getting a tour
‎of the training facilities.

‎You're actually over there.
‎That's awesome.

‎-Are you okay?
‎-Yeah, totally.

‎Are Hokstad is a guy who always sees you.

‎He's the glue of the team.

‎He's worked with
‎many different national team coaches.

‎He's experienced a lot more lows
‎than highs in this job.

‎He's very strong,
‎organizationally speaking.

‎The preparation phase for the World Cup

‎is an enormous mountain
‎that we've started to climb.

‎The players' well-being
‎is my focus from A to Z.

‎Two, three, four, five, six, seven.

‎Do the facilities cover our needs?

‎Will we be able to train,
‎treat, rest, eat...

‎Insane stuff.

‎86 DAYS ‎UNTIL THE


‎85 DAYS ‎UNTIL THE


‎Norway's playing training matches
‎against the Netherlands and Switzerland.

‎HAMAR
‎NORWAY

‎And today, the team will be announced.

‎All those who play against
‎the Netherlands and Switzerland

‎have a chance of going to the World Cup.

‎In two and a half months
‎we're picking out the final roster.

‎In the last two matches you have
‎to prepare for the World Cup,

‎it's a plus if that team looks as much
‎as possible like the World Cup team.

‎It won't be entirely identical,

‎but it's our last chance
‎to test new things.

‎And this is a living thing, right?
‎The picture is never static.

‎All of a sudden,
‎someone comes onto our radar.

‎Now we have more and more
‎Bodø/Glimt players who've popped up

‎as a result of their success
‎in the Champions League.

‎Bam!

‎Jens Petter Hauge never disappoints!

‎Bodø/Glimt train chugs on.

‎There's Bjørtuft.

‎When Jens Petter Hauge
‎smells an opportunity,

‎he grabs that bull by both horns.

‎The ability he has to do
‎something spectacular

‎when needed, facing strong opposition,

‎is a quality that I think Ståle Solbakken
‎wants to bring along to the World Cup.

‎Bjørtuft and Hauge
‎are on the team now. Why?

‎Bjørtuft has taken steps
‎and been rock solid.

‎Hauge has been winning matches
‎for Bodø/Glimt with an X factor.

‎ASPMYRA STADIUM
‎BODØ

‎It was very unexpected.

‎The national team
‎is something all players dream about.

‎JENS PETTER HAUGE
‎MIDFIELDER, BODØ/GLIMT

‎Now I'll get the chance to show what I can
‎do in the matches before the World Cup.

‎It's an opportunity to be a part of
‎the final World Cup team.

‎My name is Odin Bjørtuft.

‎I'm a center-back.

‎ODIN BJØRTUFT
‎CENTER-BACK, BODØ/GLIMT

‎I've played zero international matches.

‎Twenty-seven years old.

‎Perhaps an unusual age

‎for someone to be called up
‎to the national team for the first time.

‎I rank the World Cup as the greatest thing
‎you can experience as a soccer player.

‎Now everything is up to me.

‎I need to work as hard as I can.

‎It's an opportunity to go down in
‎Norwegian soccer history.

‎AMSTERDAM - THE NETHERLANDS
‎DAY BEFORE FRIENDLY MATCH

‎In a World Cup team with 26 men,
‎the first 15-20 men are easy to pick.

‎And then it's really hard
‎to pick the last few.

‎Everything is an audition.

‎We're trying to analyze everything

‎to find out how this team
‎can be the best it can be.

‎These are exciting times.

‎Many people dream
‎of being part of this team.

‎It's a huge competition
‎with players pushing from outside,

‎and players on the inside
‎who are desperate to keep their spot.

‎It is an amazing position to be in.

‎It's impeccable timing
‎to be in the best shape of my life

‎when Norway is finally going
‎to a championship again.

‎Of course it will be a challenge
‎to be picked for the final team.

‎There are a lot of very talented
‎soccer players from Norway.

‎That's kind of why
‎the expectations are so high.

‎The last players on the team won't
‎necessarily ever go out on the field.

‎It matters a lot
‎how good they are socially.

‎Going up?

‎Contribute to the team and to the squad,
‎despite personal disappointment

‎of not getting a chance to play.

‎The group and the main 11
‎need to be as strong as possible.

‎Straight ahead. We're driving to Norway.

‎We're working towards a team culture

‎where everyone can thrive,
‎and where everyone can be themselves.

‎That group dynamic
‎and that confidence that the group has,

‎the bigger it is, the more you can be
‎the best version of yourself.

‎Sorry.

‎At the same time,
‎if there isn't any friction,

‎something that can make them
‎challenge each other more,

‎then it'll be too nice and too safe,
‎and then they won't perform as well.

‎I feel like we've found
‎a very nice balance

‎in being focused and able to hold
‎each other to a higher standard

‎and demand the best
‎from each other on the pitch.

‎Okay, then.

‎Are you doing any better?

‎And then we switch off completely

‎when we're done training
‎or playing a match or whatever.

‎I think that's largely the key
‎to our current success.

‎It's so insanely important
‎to not have any idiots on the team

‎that can get restless and do stupid stuff.

‎They suck the energy from the group.
‎We can't have that in a long tournament.

‎So you need to do a very thorough job
‎when you pick out the team.

‎Jens Petter Hauge is training with you
‎for the first time in a number of years.

‎What sort of opinions
‎have you formed so far about...

‎We've only had
‎one full training session so far,

‎so we haven't had time
‎to say one way or the other.

‎Does that mean he won't be a starting
‎player on the national team as of now?

‎As of now, he's ranking below a few
‎other players, but he's aware of that.

‎He's been winning matches for Bodø/Glimt
‎in the Champions League.

‎That's why he's here.

‎But as I've been saying,
‎his playing has been too inconsistent.

‎He needs to stabilize
‎his performance in matches.

‎He's aware of that. I've said that before.

‎He's been helping me to become
‎more aware of the challenges

‎that I have to work on,
‎and he's always done that.

‎Remove that camera. It's the first day.

‎Jens Petter Hauge has been coming
‎in and out of the national team.

‎Many players need to be consistently good
‎and enter a sort of flow state.

‎It's not like that with him.

‎He can play misplaced pass
‎after misplaced pass.

‎All of a sudden,
‎he puts one straight into the top corner.

‎Huh? Lovely.

‎The last few years,
‎I've become better at receiving...

‎not criticism, exactly, but information
‎and observations coming from him.

‎The principles are to be followed,
‎and your efforts

‎and the tactical aspect should be perfect.
‎It's all to do with concentration.

‎He needs to be fine-tuned,
‎and when he's fine-tuned,

‎he delivers moments that very few
‎Norwegian players are able to do.

‎He expects things from me, and that's
‎a really good position for me to be in.

‎He's trying to get the last percentages
‎of my game to come up to the surface.

‎And now, the run-up for the World Cup
‎is starting for real for Norway.

‎The mighty Netherlands
‎are their opponents.

‎The Dutch players,

‎among whom is Liverpool's
‎star center-back Virgil van Dijk.

‎This is one of the last chances
‎for Ståle Solbakken to practice against

‎a big team before it really matters,
‎meaning the World Cup this summer.

‎In many ways, this is the bar
‎for what we could expect in the World Cup.

‎It's a good, old-fashioned
‎Idol ‎audition,

‎where many players
‎hope to hear Ståle Solbakken say,

‎ "You're moving on to the US."

‎Both Martin Ødegaard and
‎Erling Braut Haaland are out this time.

‎This means Berge
‎will take over the captain's armband.

‎What an opportunity
‎for Andreas Schjelderup

‎who might get a shot to play on the wing.

‎They have the opportunity to stamp
‎their US visas here tonight.

‎FRIENDLY MATCH
‎THE NETHERLANDS VS NORWAY

‎The Dutch team that got to the
‎semi-finals in the Euros two years ago.

‎He's a little late there, Strand Larsen.

‎And then Dumfries.
‎And Schjelderup is down to work.

‎The cross over the perimeter
‎over to Møller Wolfe.

‎Schjelderup, one on one. Time to show off.

‎Oh, he goes in. He succeeds!

‎Andreas Schjelderup!

‎Ståle Solbakken was spot-on
‎with his picks.

‎THE NETHERLANDS 0 - 1 NORWAY

‎Andreas!

‎Applauded by Solbakken
‎in the opening minutes.

‎A little nutmeg from Koopmeiners.

‎The Netherlands have picked up the pace.

‎All of a sudden,
‎the Dutch have confidence.

‎Meiners... Van Dijk!

‎Classic van Dijk.
‎1-1 in Amsterdam. He's a beast.

‎HALFTIME
‎THE NETHERLANDS 1 - 1 NORWAY

‎Push through, now. Push through.

‎Sørloth drifting out wide,

‎where he usually operates
‎for the Norwegian national team.

‎Sørloth stays put, waiting.

‎Dumfries sends it in... Reijnders!

‎THE NETHERLANDS 2 - 1 NORWAY

‎Norway looks out-played here.

‎It inspires me to see others
‎that I'm competing against do well.

‎It pushes me
‎and gives me that bit of extra energy.

‎Jens Petter Hauge.

‎Jens Petter Hauge fighting for a spot
‎on the national team now.

‎Jens Petter Hauge blocks it.

‎Come on, J.P.!

‎It's going much better after the subs.

‎This would be the right moment for Hauge

‎to deliver a Champions League special
‎here and now.

‎He's here because he's got that X factor.
‎We need that X factor.

‎Hauge on the flank.
‎We need to use Hauge now.

‎Show his abilities.

‎Jens Petter!

‎FINAL RESULT
‎THE NETHERLANDS 2 - 1 NORWAY

‎We lost for the first time
‎in a very long time.

‎The result wasn't
‎the most important thing tonight.

‎It's all about
‎putting the players to the test.

‎It was a tough match. It was hard work,
‎both offensively and defensively.

‎My heart rate was reaching its limits.

‎It's not a given that Jens Petter Hauge
‎will be on the team, to put it bluntly.

‎His efforts were entirely average.

‎He did more or less
‎what we expected of him.

‎But the competition is tough,
‎so we'll have to see how it ends.

‎Well done. We don't shed any tears
‎about this, boys.

‎We're moving on ahead.
‎We're on the right track.

‎If we meet this team in the World Cup,
‎I'll put my money on you all day long.

‎75 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎74 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎LILLESTRØM
‎NORWAY

‎I was very happy about 65 minutes
‎of that match against the Netherlands.

‎We got to put both formations to the test,

‎and we got to put
‎some new players to the test.

‎Many of them made a good impression on us.

‎The World Cup is three months away.

‎How many of the 26 players
‎in the group are you sure about?

‎I can't tell you exactly but...

‎Eighteen players.

‎Nineteen. Twenty and a half.

‎No, 18, 19, 20.
‎It's the last six to eight spots.

‎There could be someone there who
‎suddenly shows up and steps up at the end.

‎Close, close, close! Next!

‎This gathering for me

‎is all about trying to show
‎what I can do in the best possible way.

‎There are many details in the play

‎that you need to learn
‎before you can join a national team.

‎Here, Odin!

‎Stop, stop, stop!

‎A minor detail. If I go like this...

‎Yes, like that. If I come here...

‎Left, over.

‎Think about it like that. Okay?

‎Of course the competition is tough.

‎There are many incredible midfielders
‎who play on an international level

‎and are really trying
‎to get to play for Norway.

‎When we play 11 against 11 during
‎training, it's really hard work both ways.

‎But I think I have more to give,

‎and I also need to show more if I'm going
‎to be picked to be on a World Cup team.

‎If I get an opportunity to play a match,

‎I have to take it.

‎FRIENDLY MATCH
‎NORWAY VS SWITZERLAND

‎Okay, boys. Come on.

‎Good luck, boys.

‎You'll remember this
‎for the rest of your lives.

‎Good passing feet. He shows that here.

‎That wasn't so bad.

‎Taking big risks in the free-play,
‎at least.

‎Bjørtuft.

‎He got into trouble there.

‎Ståle Solbakken.
‎I wonder what he thinks about this.

‎He's got a keen eye
‎for the details that he cares about.

‎That was a nice pass.

‎-Good!
‎-‎Bjørtuft is steady.

‎It's important that they keep
‎everything clean here at the end.

‎And here... A lot of room for Manzambi.

‎Monteiro. This is where he scored
‎against Germany.

‎FINAL RESULT
‎NORWAY 0 - 0 SWITZERLAND

‎Just like in the first half,
‎he blows the whistle on the dot.

‎0-0 between the two coaches.

‎What's your take on the national team
‎debutants Bjørtuft and Falchener?

‎They're two different player types.

‎We've kept a clean sheet.

‎They've been part of our heavy training
‎with high speed.

‎You've used this gathering to put
‎pressure on the players. Is that right?

‎No, I don't know. I don't think so.

‎No more than usual.

‎I hope they do feel a little pressure.

‎We are playing
‎in the World Cup, after all.

‎MADRID
‎SPAIN

‎-Come in, come in.
‎-Hola!

‎-All good?
‎-Yeah, very.

‎-Good to see you.
‎-Likewise.

‎We've got about two and a half months
‎until the World Cup.

‎I think we should be
‎cautiously optimistic.

‎GØRAN SØRLOTH
‎ALEXANDER SØRLOTH'S FATHER

‎So I'm trying to avoid
‎hyping it up too much.

‎It's a goal!
‎Gøran Sørloth scores for Norway!

‎That was so much fun!

‎He passes to Sørloth. Sørloth is through!

‎It's 1-0 to Norway!

‎It's Alexander Sørloth!

‎In my time on the team, people have always
‎talked about the '94 and '98 World Cups.

‎ALEXANDER SØRLOTH
‎STRIKER

‎How we never qualified,
‎despite so many attempts.

‎And I've spoken to Dad about it,
‎but not that much.

‎How was the pressure

‎in '94? Did you feel it?

‎I mean, it's a very appropriate question

‎because I assume
‎you guys are feeling it more.

‎I felt like the pressure
‎was totally gone for me.

‎Because it was enough to qualify?

‎Yes, the moment we qualified,
‎everyone was happy.

‎The journalists, the people.

‎We shouldn't be happy
‎with just getting to that point.

‎We have a job to do over there.

‎It's true, because
‎we haven't talked much about it since.

‎We've been on the road a lot.

‎But we do talk...

‎Should we go, Dad?

‎-Go?
‎-Yeah.

‎-Am I rambling?
‎-Walk and talk.

‎I thought I was the boss here.
‎I'm the father.

‎-The difference is...
‎-Your son has gotten old.

‎A while ago,

‎I was Gøran Sørloth,
‎and he was Gøran Sørloth's son.

‎He was called Gøran Sørloth's son.
‎I've lost my name.

‎I've become Alexander Sørloth's dad.
‎Do you get me?

‎-Not good.
‎-Isn't that the dream?

‎But I'm supposed to be the boss.

‎We shouldn't be thinking,

‎ "35 days left, 23 days left..."

‎That's draining. So this is a warning.

‎Use it for what it's worth.
‎We're there, and we know we're there.

‎45 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎44 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎I got positive feedback
‎after the last gathering.

‎I felt like I got along well
‎with the group.

‎I think I can fit in well
‎going into the championship.

‎We're fighting for that spot
‎every single day.

‎To be picked for a World Cup...

‎Not much can compare to that.

‎You try not to think about it too much,
‎but you're always reminded of it.

‎Of course there's a lot of competition
‎within the offensive positions.

‎So I do what I need to do every day
‎to become even one percent better.

‎I'm in a really good place physically.

‎And I believe that I'll stay injury free
‎and be ready if I get the chance.

‎3 WEEKS UNTIL TEAM SELECTION

‎ANDREW FINDLAY
‎ANALYST FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM

‎22 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎21 DAYS
‎UNTIL THE 2026 WORLD CUP

‎MAY 21ST, 2026
‎NORWAY'S WC TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

‎Big news from tiny Grue tonight,
‎our national team manager's hometown.

‎Our world cup squad is being unveiled
‎in under an hour.

‎Many are hopeful today,
‎national players waiting to be picked

‎and also this group,
‎who are receiving visitors in Grue.

‎This is a big day for me and Kent.

‎That this could take place
‎on our old home turf.

‎Hello, good to see you again.

‎We need this?

‎Are you running around inside?

‎Have you said hi to Tom yet?
‎This is my mother.

‎It's nice to be here.

‎Do you see the red garage behind the goal?

‎-Yes.
‎-You see the black house to the right?

‎-Yes.
‎-My uncle lives there.

‎How hard has it been to choose?

‎It's been hard,

‎there are a lot of good soccer players
‎in Norway these days.

‎There is potentially only one
‎available spot to the right wing position,

‎who do we believe will end up
‎with this spot?

‎It will be a close one.

‎BODØ
‎NORWAY

‎Jens Petter Hauge
‎was the most discussed player,

‎where does he stand?

‎It looks difficult on his part
‎from my point of view.

‎If someone is biting nails right now,
‎then it has to be him.

‎NONE OF THE PLAYERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED
‎BEFORE THE TEAM IS PICKED

‎THEY WILL KNOW IF THEY ARE PICKED
‎ALONG WITH THE REST OF NORWAY

‎SIMEN PEDERSEN
‎MEDIA MANAGER, BODØ/GLIMT

‎There have been weeks,

‎where things go up and down.
‎You feel good, and then...

‎Then you start thinking
‎and expect the worst.

‎Now it is all going to be
‎about the World Cup squad,

‎how have you been able
‎to keep it a secret?

‎This is something no one should know
‎before the ones it really concerns.

‎There has always been a core group,

‎and those outside of that
‎we've needed a longer discussion about,

‎and we needed more time,
‎but ultimately, we stand by our choices.

‎THE WC GROUP WILL BE ANNOUNCED
‎IN A NATIONWIDE BROADCAST VIDEO

‎This is a moment we have been waiting for
‎since 1998.

‎This year's World Cup squad
‎will now be revealed,

‎and the question is, are you ready?

‎These are the 26 players
‎who will represent Norway

‎in the 2026 World Cup.

‎Dear everyone,

‎the men's national team is going
‎to the World Cup

‎for the first time in 28 years.

‎This team is from all over the country.

‎From small to big clubs.

‎I have to pay attention.

‎-Because this is how they reveal it?
‎-Looks that way.

‎Over long distances.

‎Yes?

‎This must mean that you are going?

‎That must be it.

‎Wow.

‎Those are the 26 players
‎who will represent Norway.

‎Someone must be extra happy today.

‎There has been
‎a lot of discussion beforehand.

‎We can see that Falchener is there,

‎Hauge and Thelo Aasgaard.

‎What is your message for these players
‎who have been up to discussion?

‎The message to them is the same
‎as to everybody else.

‎Congratulations.

‎Thank you.

‎-This is so cool!
‎-Yeah.

‎I am shaking.

‎We could almost not see my name
‎in the video.

‎I just saw it a little on the buoy,
‎or what is it called?

‎You mean a float?

‎Float? Did everyone else's kit get shown
‎except yours?

‎Yes.

‎My Goodness. This is so exciting.

‎-‎ You have to get a plane ticket to the US.
‎- Yes, it is going to be a hectic day.

‎I am a touched
‎and proud soccer player today.

‎That was well deserved.
‎That was well deserved.

‎What was it
‎that was in Jens Petter Hauge's favor?

‎Jens Petter is a player with X factor

‎and he is a great counterattack player.

‎In the final stages of matches,

‎he is someone who can be
‎a very good counterattack player.

‎And he is a guy who has made his mark
‎on the squad

‎at irregular intervals.

‎But he is coming with us
‎since he deserves it.

‎We have placed together what we think
‎is our best 26 players.

‎That means some people will be very happy
‎while others will be disappointed.

‎ODIN BJØRTUFT DID NOT GET PICKED
‎FOR THE WC TEAM

‎Of course you feel
‎a little disappointment...

‎ODIN BJØRTUFT
‎CENTER-BACK, BODØ/GLIMT

‎...and a sorrow.

‎It's something that I've worked for
‎and dreamed about

‎that's being shattered today.

‎At the same time, I just have to realize
‎that I haven't performed well enough.

‎I probably need to get
‎a Norwegian Ajer kit

‎or I get a Berg, Bjørkan or Hauge kit.

‎And sit on the "World Cup Square"

‎in Porsgrunn and follow along from there.

‎I think it will be a lot of fun

‎to follow along as a fan.

‎And the winner is the Norwegian
‎Men's National Soccer Team.

‎The Norwegian Men's National Team...

‎THE SPORTS GALA
‎JANUARY 2026

‎...finally managed to qualify
‎for the World Cup.

‎On behalf of the three of us,

‎a fantastic support network
‎and a group of players

‎who we're proud of
‎both on and off the pitch,

‎we thank you for this award.

‎The men's team is, more than
‎any other team, the team of the nation.

‎We represent the soccer family.

‎We now have 420,000 active members.

‎And even more supporters.

‎Those of us standing here, and our
‎players, would especially like to thank

‎all the dedicated enthusiasts...

‎all those who show up to "‎dugnad‎".

‎ "‎Dugnad‎" is the nicest word
‎in the Norwegian language.

‎And all the parents who are coaches.

‎Without that volunteer spirit,
‎there wouldn't be Norwegian soccer.

‎We would like to thank everyone
‎working in the districts,

‎at the national team school
‎and in the NFF.

‎This is a very big victory for our team,
‎and what happened in 2025...

‎was a victory for us all.

‎This is what I've been dreaming of
‎since I was little, playing in the park,

‎dreaming of playing in the World Cup.

‎And of course I'm excited.

‎I'm counting down the days. We have
‎unwavering faith in what we're doing.

‎We really think that
‎we could beat anybody.

‎People aren't happy about facing Norway.

‎They shouldn't be either.
‎I'm just excited to play the first game.

‎To get started with the whole thing.

‎In a play-off, one match,
‎anything can happen,

‎and then we know that we are
‎good enough to deal with the very best.

‎What are your personal expectations?

‎The World Cup for me is just the best.

‎And I've seen so many championships
‎at this point.

‎But as a commentator,
‎I've never seen a Norwegian team there.

‎That adds an extra dimension to it.
‎When Norway is in the play-offs.

‎Could Norway win the World Cup?

‎I don't want to say anything about that.
‎I choose to stay silent.

‎No, I'm not going to go down that road.

‎Good question.

‎In theory we could.

‎No, I'm actually going to say no.
‎And I hope I wasn't the first one.

‎What are your hopes for the World Cup?

‎My hopes?

‎I hope that Norway will become
‎world champions.

‎Will Norway win the World Cup?

‎If they do, I'll go to the City Hall
‎Square myself to celebrate them.

‎I promise you that.

‎It's a Norwegian team that can

‎take some big bites over there.

‎We have to enjoy going to the World Cup.
‎And at the same time, challenge ourselves.

‎Historically, in the play-offs,

‎Norway's done well in qualifiers,
‎and performed worse during the World Cup.

‎Now we have to see
‎if we can rise above that too.

‎Could Norway win the World Cup?