By Chris Hood
New Zealand’s midweek match against Norway may well spark memories for Norwegian head coach Ståle Solbakken — especially if the game involves a penalty.
Ståle Solbakken.
The international friendly will be only the second time the countries have met; the first was a 3-0 win to Norway in Brisbane in 1997, when they met during the Optus World Series.
Solbakken played in Norway’s midfield during the game, one of 58 caps for the national team he now coaches.
Reports say he was one of Norway’s best players on the day despite missing a penalty.
Here are 10 more things you might want to know about Norway ahead of Wednesday’s match …
1. A brief history
Norway played their first international in 1908 against Sweden, earning their first win a decade later against Denmark. They regularly competed in the Nordic Championship from 1924, winning the 1929–1932 edition.
Norway’s greatest achievement came at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where they defeated Germany 2-0 and claimed the bronze medal after beating Poland 3-2.
Outside left Arne Brustad scored all three goals and was later named in the tournament’s All-Star Team.
2. Current FIFA rankings
Heading into this fixture, Norway are ranked #31 in the FIFA men’s world rankings while New Zealand are #83.
The highest Norway have ever been ranked was #2 in 1993 and 1995, while the All Whites’ all-time peak was #47, achieved in August 2002.
READ MORE: All Whites drop one place in FIFA world rankings after losses to Australia >>>>
3. FIFA World Cup history
Norway made their first World Cup appearance in 1938. The tournament was a straight knockout, and they lost 2-1 after extra time to the eventual winners, Italy.
Arne Brustad was Norway’s only representative in a Europe XI that played England later that year to mark the FA’s 75th Jubilee.
Norway qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, topping a group that included England and the Netherlands.
They went unbeaten at home between 1992 and 1998 and later reached the 1998 World Cup in France, where they beat Brazil 2-1 but lost to Italy in the round of 16.
4. Memorable win against England
On September 9, 1981, Norway beat England 2-1 in Oslo — their first victory over the English after six attempts. The squad included professionals from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and England, a sign of Norway’s growing football ambition.
5. Current form and World Cup qualifying
Norway lead their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, ahead of Italy, having won all six of their games, including a 5-0 win against Israel last weekend and an 11-1 win over Moldova in September.
Manchester City star Erling Haaland scored five goals in both those matches. ‘
Having already confirmed their spot at next year’s World Cup, Norway’s qualifying campaign ends with games against Estonia and Italy in November.
Norway striker Erling Haaland.
6. Star players and formation
Captain Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) and striker Erling Haaland (Manchester City) have been the squad’s star players in recent seasons, though they have withdrawn from Norway’s squad to face New Zealand.
Ødegaard debuted aged 15 years and 253 days, the youngest ever for Norway. Haaland is Norway’s record goalscorer, surpassing Jørgen Juve’s long-standing total of 33 goals. A knee injury has forced Ødegaard to withdraw from the game against New Zealand.
READ MORE: Injury forces Arsenal skipper to withdraw from Norway squad to face All Whites >>>>
READ MORE: Five players pull out of Norway squad to face All Whites in midweek international >>>>
7. Norwegians in the Premier League
More than 70 Norwegians have featured in the Premier League since 1992. Notable players include John Arne Riise (321 appearances), Ole Gunnar Solskjær (235), Henning Berg, Ronny Johnsen, Erik Thorstvedt, Brede Hangeland and Alfie Haaland. Erling’s father.
Four Norwegians started in the opening round of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
8. New Zealand internationals with Norwegian links
Current All Whites midfielder Joe Bell plays for Viking in Norway’s top-tier Eliteserien.
Other New Zealand internationals to play in Norway include Monty Patterson (Hønefoss BK) in 2019, and Kris Bright, who had spells with Kristiansund in 2007–08 and at Bryne in 2012.
Age group international Gianni Stensness, who later changed his allegiance to Australia to become a Socceroo, scored for New Zealand against Norway at the 2019 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup, and later joined Norway club Viking.
READ MORE: The night New Zealand’s youngsters outplayed Norway on the world stage >>>>
Three Football Ferns — Liz Anton, Olivia Chance and Jacqui Hand — currently play for Norwegian club Kolbotn.
READ MORE: Forward Jacqui Hand becomes third Fern to join top-tier Norwegian club >>>>
9. Other links to New Zealand football
Norwegian defender Rune Bratseth played beside former All Whites striker Wynton Rufer at Werder Bremen when they won the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Former All Whites coach Ken Dugdale managed FK Vesterålen in northern Norway.
10. Norwegian trivia
Norway have never lost to Brazil in four matches (two wins, two draws). Their most-capped player is John Arne Riise (110 caps), while Hege Riise holds the women’s record with 188 caps and three major titles.
In 2011, Jone Samuelsen scored a header from 58 metres — still considered one of football’s most astonishing goals.
Norway squad
Player/caps/goals, club
Goalkeepers
Ørjan Nyland (64/0) Sevilla, Spain
Mathias Dyngeland (1/0) Brann, Norway
Egil Selvik (5/0) Watford, England
Defenders
David Møller Wolfe (15/1) Wolverhampton Wanderers, England
Torbjørn Heggem (9/0) Bologna, Italy
Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (29/0) Torino, Italy
Andreas Hanche-Olsen (21/0) Mainz 05, Germany
Tobias Guddal (0/0) Tromsø, Norway
Eivind Helland (0/0), Brann, Norway
Sebastian Sebulonsen (0/0), FC Köln, Germany
Midfielders
Morten Thorsby (63/7) Genoa, Italy
Kristoffer Ajer (46/2) Brentford, England
Patrick Berg (36/0) Bodø/Glimt, Norway
Sander Berge (59/1) Fulham, England
Thelo Aasgaard (4/5) Rangers, Scotland
Antonio Nusa (17/5) RB Leipzig, Germany
Oscar Bobb (13/2) Manchester City, England
Kristian Arnstad (0/0) AGF Aarhusm Denmark
Sverre Nypan (0/0) Middlesbrough (on loan from Manchester City, England)
Forwards
Aune Heggebø (1/0) West Bromwich Albion, England
Aron Dønnum (16/2) Toulouse, France
Andreas Schjelderup (6/0) Benfica, Portugal
Jørgen Strand Larsen (22/3) Wolverhampton Wanderers, England
Withdrawals
Martin Ødegaard (69/15) Arsenal, England — injury
Leo Østigård (33/1) Genoa, Italy — injury
Felix Horn Myhre (5/2) Brann, Norway — injury
Alexander Sørloth (66/24) Atlético Madrid, Spain — return to club
Julian Ryerson (37/1) Borussia Dortmund, Germany — return to club
Erling Haaland (46/51) Manchester City, England — return to club
Fredrik André Bjørkan (16/1) Bodø/Glimt, Norway — return to club
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday October 15, 2025 (NZT)
Norway v New Zealand
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway, 5am (NZT)
Chris Hood
Chris Hood is a Blenheim-based long-time follower of football.
This story was first published on October 14, 2025.