Honestly, if you looked at the Norway women’s national football team a couple of years ago, you’d be forgiven for thinking the spark was gone. This is a program with a gold star on the chest—1995 World Cup champions, Olympic gold in 2000, two-time Euro winners. But for a long time, they were the "nearly" team. They had the superstars but lacked the glue.
Fast forward to 2026, and things feel... different. There’s a grit that wasn't there before.
Under the guidance of English coach Gemma Grainger, who took the reins in early 2024, the "Gresshoppene" (The Grasshoppers) have stopped relying solely on individual brilliance and started acting like a cohesive, annoying-to-play-against unit. It’s about time. When Grainger arrived, she inherited a squad that had just been humbled in previous tournaments, including a nightmare 8-0 loss to England in 2022 that still haunts some of the veterans. But the 2025 Euro campaign changed the narrative.
Norway didn't just show up; they won all three group games—a first for an English manager in their debut Euro. They’ve climbed back to 12th in the FIFA rankings as of late 2025, and as they head into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the rest of the world is starting to look over their shoulders again.
The Star Power: More Than Just Ada Hegerberg
You can't talk about Norway without talking about Ada Hegerberg. She’s basically royalty in Lyon and a legend in Molde. Having reached the 50-goal milestone for her country during the Euro 2025 opener against Switzerland, she remains the focal point. But here’s the thing: Norway is finally learning how to win when she’s not the only one doing the heavy lifting.
🔗 Read more: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
- Caroline Graham Hansen: If you haven't watched her for Barcelona, you’re missing out. She’s arguably the best pure winger in the world. Her ability to isolate defenders and create something out of nothing is what makes this team tick. In the recent friendly win against Brazil (3-1 in late 2025), she was untouchable.
- Guro Reiten: The Chelsea star brings that tactical discipline. She’s the bridge between the midfield and the front three.
- The New Guard: Watch out for Elisabeth Terland and Signe Gaupset. Terland has been clinical, and Gaupset represents the next generation of Norwegian talent that isn't intimidated by the "Golden Generation" labels.
It’s a weird mix of old-school legendary status and new-school tactical flexibility. Grainger often uses a "co-coaching" model on the pitch, with specific assistants focusing on principles like ball recovery and set-piece outcomes, while she maintains the bird's-eye view. It sounds a bit corporate, but it’s working.
What Went Wrong (And How They Fixed It)
For a few years, the Norway women’s national football team was a case study in "too many cooks." You had world-class players who seemingly couldn't figure out how to share the ball or defend as a block. The 2023 World Cup was a bit of a mess—injuries to Hegerberg, public frustration from Graham Hansen about being benched, and a Round of 16 exit.
The "fix" wasn't just a new coach. It was a cultural reset.
Grainger has been vocal about "work effort, energy, and running." She famously gave the team a massive reality check at halftime during the Switzerland match in 2025 when they were trailing. She told them the work wasn't good enough. Plain and simple. Norway came out, scored twice in five minutes, and won. That’s the kind of edge they were missing for a decade.
💡 You might also like: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
The Road to the 2027 World Cup Starts Now
As we sit in early 2026, the focus is squarely on the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Norway has a busy spring schedule ahead:
- March 3, 2026: Away at Austria. This is a grudge match. Austria has been a thorn in Norway's side recently, often playing a low block that Norway struggled to break down.
- March 7, 2026: Home against Germany. This is the big one. Germany is currently ranked 3rd in the world. If Norway wants to prove they belong in the elite tier again, they have to take points here.
- April 2026: Back-to-back fixtures against Slovenia. These are "must-wins" if they want to secure the top spot in Group A4.
The team's form leading into this year has been solid. They ended 2025 with a 3-1 win over Brazil and a 2-0 victory against Japan. These aren't just "okay" teams; these are world-class opponents. Keeping clean sheets against teams like Denmark (0-0 in December 2025) shows that the defensive frailty of the past is slowly being patched up.
Tactical Shift: The Grainger Effect
The team has moved away from a rigid 4-3-3 that often left the midfield exposed. Now, you’ll see them shifting into a more fluid 4-2-3-1 or even a 3-4-3 depending on the opponent. Ingrid Syrstad Engen has become vital in that pivot role, dropping deep to pick up the ball and allowing the full-backs like Tuva Hansen to push high.
It's more "modern." Less "hoof it to Ada and pray."
📖 Related: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
Why You Should Care
Norway isn't just another team. They are the pioneers. They were one of the first nations to implement equal pay for their men’s and women’s teams. When the Norway women’s national football team is good, it’s good for the sport because they play with a specific kind of Scandinavian flair—physical, direct, but technically gifted.
They’re currently sitting with a win percentage of nearly 54% under the current staff. That might not sound like "world-beating" numbers, but considering the caliber of UEFA competition right now, it’s a massive step up from where they were.
What to Watch For Next
If you're following the team this year, keep an eye on the squad rotation. Grainger has been ruthless with her selections. She’s made it clear that club form matters, whether you're playing in the WSL, Liga F, or the Toppserien.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the March Qualifiers: The matches against Austria and Germany will define the 2026 season. If Norway takes 4 points from those two games, they are practically guaranteed a spot in the next major tournament.
- Watch the Youth Integration: Keep an eye on the minutes given to players like Celin Bizet and Justine Kielland. Their development is the key to whether Norway can sustain this comeback or if it’s just a temporary blip.
- Monitor Injury Reports: With stars like Hegerberg and Graham Hansen, the "groin sensation" or "minor hamstring tweak" is always a looming threat. Depth is Norway's biggest weakness.
The sleeping giant is definitely awake. Whether they can actually take down the likes of Spain or the USA in a knockout game remains to be seen, but they've earned the right to be in that conversation again.
Stay updated on the official NFF (Norges Fotballforbund) portal for ticket releases for the home matches at Ullevaal Stadium. Supporting the team in Oslo has become a much hotter ticket since the Euro 2025 run, so plan ahead if you're traveling.