Solbakken: Haaland is world's best goalscorer as Norway eye World Cup

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has declared Erling Haaland the world's best goalscorer as his team prepares to make their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup. Norway will face Iraq in their opening match of the 2026 tournament in Boston on Tuesday, marking the nation's first appearance at the global finals since 1998.

Norway's road back to the World Cup

Solbakken, who played for Norway at the 1998 World Cup, has masterminded a flawless qualification campaign, winning all eight group matches. The 1998 team pushed Italy all the way in a last-16 tie in Marseille, losing 1-0, but that proved to be Norway's last World Cup game for 28 years. Now, Solbakken stands on the brink of leading his country back to the tournament, with a squad featuring global stars such as Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

Speaking on the eve of the Iraq match, Solbakken acknowledged the significance of the occasion. "For any coach to lead his country at the World Cup, it is perhaps the top thing," he said. "It's the number one on the list. Hopefully we can live up to it, because if it's a bad experience, then you don't feel like that. We can't hide it's a very important game. We are in a very competitive group, maybe the hardest one. If we can start with three points, then you're on your way."

Haaland's impact and Solbakken's praise

Norway's hopes rest heavily on Haaland, the prolific Manchester City striker. Solbakken did not hold back in his assessment. "Hopefully Erling will have a very big impact. I think he's the world's best goalscorer," Solbakken said. "He is physically fit, he was given a little break at the end of the season – one game for Manchester City and one for us. Hopefully we can give him good service because, if we give him chances, he has a tendency to score."

Norway's group also includes Senegal and France, making it one of the most competitive at the tournament. A strong start against Iraq, who are back at the World Cup after a 40-year absence, will be crucial.

Players reflect on golden generation

Midfielder Patrick Berg described the current Norway squad as the best in the country's history. "Of course, in the '90s, the team did really well," said the 28-year-old Bodo/Glimt player. "But if you look at the players we have now, I think we have the biggest stars we have ever had with Haaland and Odegaard and a lot of the others. They have big roles in some of the biggest teams in the world."

Berg is heading into the World Cup on the back of what he called "without doubt the best year of my career," having helped Bodo/Glimt reach the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

Fellow midfielder Sander Berge was more cautious when comparing generations but highlighted the squad's star power. "Obviously, I haven't seen the '70s, '80s or '90s generation, but football keeps progressing, and the level of the sport just keeps improving," Berge said. "The players we have in this team are truly special. When you have players like Erling and Martin on your team-sheet, you will always get a lot of recognition and interest."

Berge comes from a strong sporting family; his mother played for the Swedish national basketball team, his father for Norway's basketball team, and his brother played college basketball in the United States. Representing Norway at the World Cup, he said, is "special."