Norway's national team begin their UEFA Nations League League A campaign with a home match against Denmark at Ullevaal on Thursday. The match is the first step in a key autumn where the objective is to avoid bottom place in the group to secure a top seed for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw.

Ståle Solbakken's squad face a tough group containing Portugal, Denmark, and Wales. After winning their group in the previous edition, Norway were promoted to League A, and recent format changes make it easier to stay there. Only the two lowest-ranked fourth-place teams are relegated directly, while third-place teams enter play-offs.

Nations League rankings will form the basis for seeding when the Euro 2028 qualifying draw is held in Belfast on 6 December 2026. The twelve highest-ranked nations in the Nations League ranking will be top seeds in that draw. Avoiding last place in Group A4 is enough to achieve this.

  • Securing a place as a top seed in the Euro qualifiers would be a gigantic step towards Euro 2028, says expert Kristoffer Løkberg.

This means the focus is clear: perform well in the six group matches from September to November. A good result against Denmark at home would set a positive tone. Check the full autumn schedule on the fixtures page.

After the opener against Denmark on 24 September, a busy programme awaits. Norway travel to Portugal on 27 September, before facing Wales away on 1 October. The return match against Portugal is at Ullevaal on 4 October. The autumn concludes with a home game against Wales on 14 November and an away match in Denmark on 17 November.

The team's current form provides grounds for optimism. Norway sit in a strong second place in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three games, just three points behind France. They have scored eight goals in those three matches. Their last match was a 1-2 defeat to England on 11 July, but before that they beat Brazil 2-1.

  • This means there is a very small probability that Norway will be relegated from League A, and that is very good news, Løkberg adds.

Winning the group not only secures a place in the Nations League quarter-finals but could also open an additional playoff route to Euro 2028 if Norway fail to qualify directly. The Euro 2028 finals will be held in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales from 9 June to 9 July 2028. 24 teams will participate, divided into six groups. The semi-finals and final will be played at Wembley Stadium in London.

UEFA has promised more and cheaper tickets for this tournament, with over three million tickets available in total. The cheapest will cost under £30. Forty percent of tickets will be in the affordable categories. Tickets will be released in December 2027.

For Norway, it's all about getting there. With Erling Haaland as top scorer with seven goals in five appearances this season, the team has a sharp weapon. View the full squad and player stats here. The next stop after the Denmark match is away to Portugal on 27 September.