Norway squad receives Trump praise – can they win the World Cup?

Norway's senior national team was recently mentioned by US President Donald Trump, who in text messages to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised the side and highlighted striker Erling Haaland as "the large and great attacker". The note arrived as the squad had just lost to England 1-2 (2026-07-11) and sits on a recent form of 3W-0D-2L (LLWWW, most recent match a loss).

What did the messages contain?

According to VG, Støre exchanged several texts with head coach Ståle Solbakken. In one, he wrote "As he sees it, Norway could win the whole World Cup with this team". Trump also added that his son Barron (20) is a big fan of Haaland. The president asked Støre to pass a greeting to Haaland, describing him as "formidable". These messages show an unexpected international spotlight on Norway's campaign.

Why does this matter for Norway?

Trump's praise adds media attention that could boost the squad's morale. Støre also plans to travel to New Jersey if Norway reaches the final, strengthening political and sporting ties. The extra exposure may attract sponsors and raise interest among Norwegian fans, especially with the upcoming home match against Denmark on September 24, 2026.

What comes next?

After the recent defeat to England, the team will now channel the new energy from the Trump praise into preparation for the next fixture. With a form of 3W-0D-2L, the side has shown it can win, but two consecutive losses make the task tough. The upcoming home clash with Denmark (2026-09-24) will test whether they can turn praise into results. Solbakken has said the squad will focus on tactical discipline and Haaland's finishing skills to secure victory.

How does this affect the World Cup dream?

Although the Trump praise is more symbolic than tactical, it may influence the team's confidence in crucial moments. With a strong belief that "Norway can win the whole World Cup", players are likely to enter each game with extra motivation. This could become a factor in the final group matches and potentially in knockout rounds if they stay in form.

What does this mean for fans?

Norwegian supporters now have an extra story to share – an American president cheering for Haaland and the national team. This could boost fan engagement both at home and abroad, providing an additional wave of support when the team faces Denmark on home soil.