After 28 years of waiting, Norway is finally back in the World Cup, and expectations are higher than they have been for a long time. Much of the attention naturally goes to superstars such as Martin Ødegaard and Erling Braut Haaland. Both are among the world’s best players in their positions and have been important for Norway to make it to the championship.
But even though these can eat up a lot of the attention, there are several young players who can become important for the national team in the years to come. Some have already had their breakthrough on the pitch, while others are still on the rise. What they all have in common is that they have shown enough skills for Norwegian supporters to take an interest in them.
Here are five players who can be of great importance to the national team, as well as being worth keeping an eye on in the World Cup squad for Norway.
Players who can influence World Cup matches
For many football supporters, the World Cup is not just about results. The tournament is also an opportunity to follow new players who can make their international breakthrough.
Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup are all players who can get bigger roles as the tournament develops. Good performances in a World Cup can boost both their career and their status on the national team.
Therefore, it is not only coaches and supporters who follow the development closely. Many who follow odds and international football are also looking for which players can get their big break in the championship.
A good indication of this is how bettors are getting better odds throughout the championship. Several Norwegian players have already appeared in the lists at 7Sign’s online sportsbook. Although Haaland is still the favorite, both Nusa and Schelderup could be interesting to watch.
Norway has several exciting names on the rise
Although Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard naturally get the most attention, there are several young players knocking on the door. Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup, Thelo Aasgaard and Sander Tangvik represent the next generation of Norwegian national team players.
How far they can go remains to be seen. What is certain is that Norway has several exciting names to build on after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On October 1, 201 Antonio Nusa
- Age: 21 years
- Position: Wing
- Parent club: Langhus IL
Antonio Nusa has long been considered one of the greatest talents Norwegian football has produced in recent years.
The fast winger combines speed, technique and creativity in a way that few Norwegian players do. He is the type of player who can decide games on his own through individual performances.
Nusa broke through at a young age and has already gathered valuable experience from international top football. At the same time, he is still far from his sporting peak.
If the development continues at the same pace, he could become one of Norway’s most important players throughout the rest of this decade.
2. Oscar Bobb
- Age: 22 years
- Position: Attacking midfield/winger
- Parent club: Lyn
Oscar Bobb is perhaps the most technically elegant player in the Norwegian squad.
He is known for his first touch, balance and ability to create space on small surfaces. Bobb has developed through one of Europe’s best academies and has shown that he can hold his own against some of the world’s best players.
Although injury problems have slowed down the development at times, the potential is still enormous.
With more playing time and continuity, Bobb can become a key player for Norway in the years to come. He has the skills to unlock compact defences and add an extra dimension to the national team offensively.
3. Andreas Schjelderup
- Age: 22 years
- Position: Winger / Attacker
- Parent club: FK Bodø/Glimt
Andreas Schjelderup has been on the radar of European big clubs since his teenage years.
He combines good technique with a natural flair for goal and the ability to create chances for his teammates. Schjelderup can play both on the wing and centrally in attack, which makes him very valuable to the coaching staff.
What perhaps impresses the most is how mature he appears with the ball in his legs. He often makes good choices and seems comfortable under pressure.
Many experts still believe that his best years are ahead of him. The World Cup could be the tournament where he really presents himself to a larger international audience.
4. Thelo Aasgaard
- Age: 23 years
- Position: Midfield
- Parent club: Liverpool FC
Thelo Aasgaard is perhaps the most exciting name for many Norwegian supporters.
The midfielder has developed rapidly in recent seasons and has shown a combination of work capacity, technique and football understanding that fits well into modern top-flight football.
He is comfortable with the ball and contributes both offensively and defensively. At the same time, he has shown that he can deliver goals and assists when the team needs it.
Aasgaard still has a lot to learn at the international level, but the potential is obvious. In the coming years, he can develop into an important piece on the Norwegian national team.
5. Sander Tangvik
- Age: 22 years
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Parent club: Byåsen IL
Goalkeepers often get less attention than offensive players, but Sander Tangvik is a name worth noting.
While Norway has long been dependent on more established options between the sticks, Tangvik represents the next generation of Norwegian goalkeepers.
He has shown good reflexes, confidence with the ball in his legs and a calmness that is important at the international level. Modern goalkeepers must contribute more in the build-up play than before, and this is an area where Tangvik already has strong qualities.
For many goalkeepers, the breakthrough comes a little later than for outfield players. Therefore, Tangvik could be a player who becomes increasingly important for the national team in the years after the World Cup.
