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Coach downplays Norway’s chances at World Cup
The Straits Times
|November 18, 2025
Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not letting the occasion get to him. His side qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Nov 16, sealing a spot for the 2026 tournament.
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Haaland’s brace at a drenched San Siro helped Norway finish Group I with a flawless record of 24 points from eight qualifying matches.
However, manager Solbakken downplayed the team's World Cup chances in the United States, Canada and Mexico, despite breaking a 28-year drought.
"Let’s see the draw first... I haven’t even thought about it. For me, it (tonight) was to go from 99 per cent to 100 per cent and now we have done it in a great way," he said.
"Let’s see what the draw brings before we go into those questions."
This story is from the November 18, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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