Erling Haaland is leading Norway’s hopes at the 2026 World Cup.

SUPERBALL.ID – The Norwegian national team has flown to the United States for this summer’s World Cup, but it’s not just star players who boarded the plane.

Norway’s record at the World Cup has been modest, as this marks only their fourth appearance in the main tournament and their first since 1998.

Back in France 28 years ago, they managed to advance from the group stage with stars like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Tore Andre Flo, and Ronny Johnsen in the squad before narrowly losing to Italy in the Round of 16.

Now, Norway boasts another generation of stars led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

In the 2026 World Cup, Norway has been drawn into Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq.

To ensure the players have the best possible preparation for success, two of Norway’s top chefs have been recruited to handle meals throughout the tournament.

Aron Espeland, winner of the Culinary Olympics with Norway in 2020, and Eirik Tufte have joined the senior team’s chefs to make sure Haaland, Odegaard, and their teammates enjoy nutritious meals made from high-quality ingredients.

For them, that means using authentic Norwegian produce—necessitating a shipment of ingredients to the United States.

“Standing in the U.S. and being able to say, ‘I actually know the person who picked this tomato or caught this halibut,’ is really cool,” Espeland told Norwegian publication VG.

“We’re also a bit particular. We want what we believe is best and enjoy working with Norway’s finest ingredients.”

“Being able to serve that when it truly matters is something we take pride in—both our personal pride and Norway’s pride.”

“It’s not easy flying half a ton of fish to the U.S.,” he added.

“We try not to over-order at once, but we’ll reorder as needed.”

“It’s hard to predict the exact amount, but we expect to need around 300 kilograms of red fish,” he explained.

In addition to fish, the Norwegians also brought along 116 kilograms of brown cheese to make them feel more at home.

Stale Solbakken’s squad has landed in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they will be based.

They are preparing for a pre-tournament friendly against Morocco on Sunday, 7 June, in New Jersey.

Their World Cup campaign kicks off on 16 June against Group I underdogs Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The stadium is home to both the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.

Speaking about his international ambitions, Manchester City star Haaland told Reuters: “Since making my international debut in 2019, my main goal has been to take Norway to the World Cup and the European Championship.”

“There’s a lot of pressure on me, but I enjoy that pressure.”

“I would put a lot of pressure on Erling Haaland if I weren’t Erling Haaland myself.”

“We now have an incredible generation, and I want to build on that.”

“I want to develop the entire federation and everything around it to become a great footballing nation. That’s my goal.”