Norway returns to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since France 1998, ending a 28-year absence and arriving in North America with Erling Haaland leading the line. All 104 matches on this page are converted to Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2), the offset Norway uses during the entire tournament window.

Match-day rhythms favour Norwegian viewers in evening and overnight windows. Matches in Mexico City and on the US Eastern Time coast (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami) and in Toronto typically kick off between 18:00 and 03:00 CEST. US Central Time hosts (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City) push starts to 19:00 to 04:00 CEST. US Pacific Time hosts (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver) put marquee evening matches as late as 21:00 to 06:00 CEST.

Norway plays in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq. The squad opens against Iraq in Boston (Tuesday, June 16, 00:00 CEST on Wednesday June 17, a midnight kick), faces Senegal at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey (Monday, June 22, 02:00 CEST on Tuesday June 23, deep night), and closes against 2018 World Cup winners France in Boston (Friday, June 26, 21:00 CEST). The France group decider is the friendliest viewing window of the campaign, with the first two group matches running into the small hours. This is Norway’s fourth men’s World Cup appearance overall (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026) and Erling Haaland’s first.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. All 104 matches converted to Norge local time (CEST, UTC+02:00). Opening match is Mexico vs South Africa on Thu Jun 11 at 9:00 PM CEST. Final is Sun Jul 19 at 9:00 PM CEST.

Frequently asked questions

When does Norway play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Norway plays three Group I matches: vs Iraq on Tuesday, June 16 in Boston (kick-off 00:00 CEST on Wednesday June 17, a midnight kick); vs Senegal on Monday, June 22 at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey (kick-off 02:00 CEST on Tuesday June 23); and vs France on Friday, June 26 in Boston (kick-off 21:00 CEST). Knockout fixtures depend on Group I finishing positions and run from June 28 through the Final on July 19.

What group is Norway in at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Norway is in Group I with France, Senegal, and Iraq. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. This is Norway's first men's World Cup appearance since France 1998, ending a 28-year absence. Norway is one of three Nordic nations in the tournament alongside Sweden (Group F) and Iceland's elimination at the qualifying stage.

Is this Erling Haaland's first World Cup?

Yes. Erling Haaland makes his FIFA World Cup debut at the 2026 tournament. Norway last appeared at a men's World Cup in 1998 (France), where the team reached the Round of 16 and lost to Italy. Haaland has already captained Norway during qualifying and is widely expected to lead the squad through the tournament. Martin Ødegaard provides the creative axis alongside him.

What time will World Cup 2026 matches be on Norwegian TV?

Most matches will air between 18:00 and 06:00 CEST. Mexico City and US Eastern Time matches air between 18:00 and 04:00 CEST. US Pacific Time matches air from 21:00 to 06:00 CEST. Domestic broadcaster TV 2 typically holds Norwegian rights for FIFA tournaments. The opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) kicks off at 21:00 CEST on June 11; the Final is 21:00 CEST on Sunday, July 19.