Norway’s Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and co. secured qualification to the top tier of European football as they progressed to the Nations League Group A but they will not be able to make it to the 2026 World Cup unless they improve, according to head coach Stale Solbakken.
Haaland netted three times in Sunday’s 5-0 triumph over Kazakhstan as the drama took a new turn after Austria’s 1-1 draw at home to Slovenia.
The result in Vienna helped Norway secure top spot and qualification to Group A after amassing 13 points in Group B3, with Gnezda Cerin netting the equaliser for Slovenia nine minutes before the end of the contest.
“The potential is greater, but we won’t make it to the World Cup unless we improve in several areas,” Solbakken was quoted as saying by Norwegian newspaper VG on Monday.
“I have always said that we need to improve in and around our own box. We need to be able to handle pressure. That’s the bottom line, and we’re not there yet. We need to defend better.
“There is a lot of development that is very good, but what I’m saying must be taken into account. I’m not saying that everything is good just because we won the group.”
The 56-year-old, who previously stated that the World Cup campaign will likely be his last attempt to lead Norway to a major tournament, lauded the new culture within the squad.
“The culture we have built is extremely strict. Everyone pulls in the same direction. Everyone endures it. Even though we’ve had bad luck, they stand tall and stand together,” he said.
“It is a very strong group. Winning and becoming an A-nation should give confidence.”
The draw for Europe’s 2026 World Cup qualifying section will take place on December 13 with matches kickstarting in March.
