Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has lauded striker Erling Haaland's humility and team-first mindset, calling the Manchester City forward ‘a very easy-going superstar’ as the Scandinavian side gears up for its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 28 years. Speaking to FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Solbakken said Haaland has stayed grounded despite his global stature and played a pivotal role in ending Norway's long wait for football's biggest stage.

Coach's verdict on Haaland

‘Erling Haaland is a very easy guy to coach. He wants the best for the team, he loves to be with his team-mates, and he loves to have fun with all the staff around the team. He's a very easy-going superstar,’ Solbakken said.

Haaland was the standout figure in Norway's qualification campaign, topping the scoring charts across FIFA World Cup qualifying with 16 goals — double the tally of Europe's next-best scorers, including Austria's Marko Arnautovic, England captain Harry Kane and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay, who each managed eight.

Ending a 28-year wait

The qualification marks a historic moment for Norway, who secured a World Cup berth for the first time since France 1998 — a tournament in which the 58-year-old Solbakken himself played. He admitted that returning to the showpiece had brought relief after years of near-misses.

‘I think it means a lot for the whole nation, especially the common supporter. I waited for this for a long time, and I think it's been hard for everyone to sit at home and watch every World Cup since 1998,’ he said.

‘Fifty thousand fans came to meet us on a Monday in minus four degrees, so that says it all. They have waited for this moment for so long, and now it's finally here,’ he added.

Sorloth's selfless role

Alongside Haaland, Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth has been central to Norway's resurgence. Solbakken praised his versatility and willingness to operate outside his preferred role.

‘Alexander brings a lot of physicality, and he's a loyal player that can play in different positions up front. He's a goal threat, but he's also an assist threat. The best thing is that he works so hard for the team, sometimes in a position that he maybe doesn't prefer,’ Solbakken said.

A tough World Cup group

Norway have been drawn in a demanding group featuring 2022 finalists France, Senegal and Iraq. Solbakken said his side should embrace the moment without being weighed down by expectation.

‘When you get to the World Cup for the first time in many years, I don't think you should think too much about expectations. We have to play in the same manner as we did in qualification. I don't think we have anything to fear, but we are in a very hard group,’ he said.

Fixtures ahead

Norway open their campaign against Iraq on 17 June, face France on 27 June, and meet Senegal in their final group game on 23 June. For a generation of fans who have only known World Cup heartbreak, the countdown has finally begun.