Evaluating Norway's chances

Alright, let’s break down the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Norway failed to qualify, finishing third in their group, while Spain and Scotland moved on. Unfortunately, their Nations League ranking wasn't high enough for the playoffs. Looking forward to 2026, UEFA is expanding slots to 16, with direct placements increasing from 13 to 16. The qualification format will include 12 groups, from which group winners qualify, adding more chances. Norway's FIFA ranking is around 45, and that's still kind of mid-tier. I'll echo Haaland's sentiment: "让我们拭目以待".Explaining Norway's path in 2026

I think we should avoid excessive network usage and heavy formatting. We can mention key factors like defense, team depth, and injuries, particularly to Haaland and Ødegaard. As for the coach, Ståle Solbakken has been in charge since 2020, and I believe his contract is extended through 2026. If Norway qualifies, a realistic goal would be to reach the round of 16, while advancing to the quarterfinals would require a favorable draw. FIFA’s new format for 2026 consists of 12 groups of 4, with the top two teams and the best eight third-placed teams advancing.Clarifying Norway's knockout stage path

Yes, the format changed from 16 groups of 3 to 12 groups of 4, which means more third-placed teams will advance, increasing Norway’s chances to reach the knockout rounds. There's now a Round of 32 before the Round of 16, so I'll refer to this as the "knockout stage." If Norway qualifies, their target should be to reach this stage, but getting into the Round of 16 will require tough matches.

Additionally, Norway has tactical challenges, especially in managing matches against compact defenses and creating chances beyond Haaland. They struggled with late equalizers in Euro 2024 qualifying and lacked depth in certain positions.Highlighting Norwegian players and talents

Absolutely, he's Norwegian and plays for Napoli. Kristoffer Ajer is with Brentford. In midfield, you have Ødegaard, Berge, and Aursnes. The wingers include Elyounoussi and Nusa, who is a gifted teenager. Nusa had an attempted move to Brentford in January that didn't happen, but he actually joined in August 2024.

I'll keep it concise and focus on emerging talents like him. We may also want to ask the user if they have any specific follow-up questions!Summarizing Norway's qualification outlook

As of now, Norway hasn't qualified for the 2026 tournament, but their chances have improved with extra UEFA slots. If they qualify, their most likely outcome is the group stage, where they have a decent chance to advance, particularly if Haaland and Ødegaard are in form. Finishing 1st or 2nd will depend on the draw, while their ceiling is a quarterfinal finish with a favorable draw. Key factors include Haaland's availability, Ødegaard's creativity, and defensive stability. However, they need to improve chance creation against deep defenses, midfield balance, and game management. They haven't participated in a World Cup since 1998, so we'll see! "拭目以待".