The Norway men's national team has a potential backup route to Euro 2028 through the Nations League if regular qualification fails. The upcoming matches against Denmark and Portugal in September are key to keeping that possibility alive.
Odd Roar Lange, one of Norway's most experienced travel journalists, holds four season tickets for Ullevaal that he treasures., It is not a guarantee, Lange says of the Nations League path, but he emphasises that a strong autumn could provide an extra shot at the championship.
Norway are playing in the top tier of the Nations League for the first time this autumn, drawn in a group with Portugal, Denmark and Wales. The two best teams in the group advance to the quarter-finals in March 2027, with the winners qualifying for the Euro 2028 finals in June. This matters because winning the Nations League group could earn Norway a place in the Euro playoffs if they haven't already qualified directly. The team must first finish high enough among the group winners who still need a spot, and then win the playoff matches.
The schedule is packed. Denmark visit Ullevaal on 24 September, followed by Portugal in Oslo three days later. Then come away matches against Wales and Portugal, before Wales return to Ullevaal in November. Six group matches in total will be played from September to November. These games come as a direct result of Norway winning their Nations League group last autumn and earning promotion to the elite division, having started in League C when the competition was founded.
Euro 2028 is being hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. All four hosts will take part in qualification, but UEFA has reserved up to two spots as a safety net for any hosts that don't qualify as group winners or among the eight best runners-up. This affects the number of spots available in the playoffs. If both host spots are used, eight teams will compete for two Euro tickets. If only one host needs the spot, twelve teams will play for three tickets. If no host needs help, four Euro places will be decided in the playoffs. UEFA has determined the playoffs can have different formats depending on how many host spots are utilised.
Norway currently sit in a solid second place in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three games. They are three points behind leaders France. The team's last result was a 1-2 defeat to England on 11 July this year, but they have won three of their last five matches. The next match on the fixtures list is precisely the home game against Denmark on 24 September, a perfect opener for the important Nations League autumn. Erling Haaland has been the team's clear top scorer this season with seven goals in five appearances.
It is not yet possible to determine exactly how many playoff tickets Norway might eventually have to fight for, but the main point is clear. The Nations League could become a lifeline if Norway does not achieve full qualification in their Euro qualifying group. For fans like Lange, who renews his season tickets annually even as the price has risen, it's about being part of the entire journey.
The original report is at THE TRAVEL INSPECTOR
