Norway readies 2026 World Cup squad as extreme Greensboro heat tests players

Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland and midfielder Martin Ødegaard lead a team that qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record, scoring 37 goals in qualifying. Ahead of their opening match against Tunisia, the squad has been training in Greensboro, North Carolina, where local officials have warned of extreme heat and humidity, recording a heat index of 40 °C. Norwegian players, including newcomer Antonio Nusa, have been quoted saying the conditions feel unusually oppressive for early summer.

Swedish sports journalist Petter Landén, speaking to Dagbladet, argued that Norway is currently the stronger Scandinavian side, describing Haaland as “one of the best goal‑scorers of the modern era” and suggesting that Swedish expectations should be tempered. The commentary coincides with the team's preparation in the United States, where they will continue training through the weekend despite the weather alerts.

The coverage highlights both the sporting optimism surrounding Norway’s potential for deep tournament progress and the practical challenges posed by the unexpected heat in their U.S. training base.