Norway has not participated in a World Cup finals tournament since France in 1998. That summer, football fever peaked after the 2-1 victory against Brazil in Marseille.
Is something big coming again? Under Ståle Solbakken, the Norwegians went unbeaten in the qualifiers – and they don't just have two international stars. Behind Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard there is a group of very capable players.
Jörgen Strand Larsen, fresh from winning the Conference League with Crystal Palace, is one of many. Expectations for the Norwegian national team are therefore very high.
Here is a guide for the international match:
What: Norway–Sweden, international match.
Where: Ullevaal, Oslo.
When: Kick-off 7:00 p.m., Monday.
TV/radio: Viaplay/P4 Radio Sport.
+ The big stars are missing
Haaland, the goal machine the Norwegians hope will ensure a long World Cup run, has been given a matchday off. He feels worn out after a long season with Manchester City. Midfielder Ødegaard is also resting. He and Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who was also given a day off, featured in a final on Saturday night.
+ Heavy Swedish blow
Emil Holm's painful departure from the World Cup squad he had just joined has drawn strong sympathy. It is also a blow to the national team, which loses a key right-back. Herman Johansson replaces Holm in the squad and Sebastian Nanasi has been called up as a reserve. Elliot Stroud is currently the only player who is not fully participating in team training.
+ What does Graham Potter think?
Unclear. He gave no indication at Wednesday's press conference of how he views the meeting with Norway tactically or Thursday's home friendly against Greece. Let many players get match time? Play a starting eleven together? Try something new?
The World Cup squads:
Norway:
Goalkeepers: Ørjan Håskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik.
Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Fredrik Bjørkan, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langås, Torbjørn Heggem, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Julian Ryerson, David Møller Wolfe, Leo Østigård.
Midfielders: Thelonious Aasgaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Morten Thorsby, Kristian Thorstvedt, Martin Ødegaard.
Forwards: Erling Braut Haaland, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Alexander Sørloth.
National team coach: Ståle Solbakken.
Sweden:
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Jacob Widell Zetterström.
Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Herman Johansson, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Eric Smith, Carl Starfelt, Elliot Stroud, Daniel Svensson
Midfielders/strikers: Taha Ali, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, Jesper Karlström, Gustaf Nilsson, Benjamin Nygren, Ken Sema, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli.
National team coach: Graham Potter.
