Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterJohn Arne Riise has explained why Norways run to the World Cup quarter-finals has been years in the making - and not just down to the goals of Erling Haaland.Stale Solbakkens side face England in Miami tonight, in their first-ever last-eight tie at a major tournament.Norway has a population of just 5.6 million people, but the country is enjoying a golden generation of talent, led by captain Martin Odegaard and star striker Haaland, who scored both goals in the last-16 win over Brazil to take his World Cup 2026 tally to seven.Play our FREE match predictor game and win �1kEx-Liverpool star explains why Norway have become a forceWhile Haaland is undoubtedly the headline name, Norways squad is packed with quality players including Premier League-winning skipper Odegaard, wingers Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb, and Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson.Former Liverpool left-back Riise is Norways record appearance-maker, winning 110 caps for his country between 2000 and 2013. The 45-year-old will be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for Saturdays quarter-final and revealed why a nation that had competed at just four major tournaments before this summer is suddenly a contender to win the World Cup. You may like John Arne Riise interview: Former Liverpool hero is backing his country to go all the way Why Norway are the 2026 World Cup dark horses... and they don't even need to rely on Erling Haaland Why is Erling Haaland on the bench and not starting vs France tonight? We've been working for many years with the younger generations in training, he said, speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo in association with BestBettingSites.co.uk.At the same time, having players like Haaland, Odegaard, and Oscar Bobb doing so well helps because people can see we are not as bad as they might have thought a few years ago.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.We've focused on developing players from a young age, giving them the right education and training so they're prepared to perform when they go abroad.Crucially, many players havent just jumped straight from Norway to the biggest clubs in Europe; they take small steps.Look at Haaland he took it one step at a time until suddenly he was completely prepared for Manchester City. A lot of our players have followed that path, and I think that helps immensely. What to read next Why have Norway had to change hotels before England match? Norway World Cup 2026 squad: Erling Haaland rested as sweeping changes made for top of the group clash vs France How to watch Ivory Coast vs Norway for FREE In 2015, the Norwegian FA launched its Landslagsskolen, or National Team School (NTS). Promising young players join the NTS aged 12 and are coached by the countrys best coaches, while still playing for their grassroots teams.They then move on to the top club academies around the age of 15, with most members of Solbakkens 26-man World Cup squad graduates of the programme.While Haalands incredible talent was clear from a young age, the striker did not join a top European side until he signed for Dortmund in the January 2020 transfer window, when he was aged 19.The striker began his career at boyhood club Bryne, before moving to top-division Molde and then Austrian outfit RB Salzburg at the age of 18.After two-and-a-half seasons at Dortmund, he joined Manchester City for �51million in summer 2022 and scored 52 goals in his first season to help Pep Guardiolas side win the Treble.As Riise explains, Haaland was ready to perform from the moment he arrived at the Etihad Stadium - now he is spearheading Norway's bid for World Cup glory.TOPICSJohn Arne RiiseErling HaalandWorld CupWorld Cup 2026James RobertsFreelance writerJames Roberts is a freelance sports journalist working for FourFourTwo and other titles. He started his career at the Oxford Mail, where he covered Oxford United home and away, before becoming a sports sub-editor for various national newspapers.
