The report says Norway won 8 qualifiers from 8, scored 37 goals and conceded only 5. Even with the necessary caution around single-source figures, the broader point is clear: this is not a plucky underdog built on hope alone.
That front line changes the ceiling. Norway are no longer a side that need a perfect game to hurt elite opponents. They can create damage quickly and directly.
What makes Norway credible is the shape behind the headline names. The report says Solbakken has leaned on a 4-4-2 with compact defending, restrained full-backs and fast transitions after regains. That matters in tournament football.
A team built around structure rather than chaos tends to travel better. Alexander Sørloth alongside Haaland gives Norway a second focal point, while deeper midfield support is there to protect the back line and release attacks early.
This is where the argument gets sharper. France bring tournament pedigree. Senegal bring physical power, pace and serious knockout-level quality. Norway may not need to win the group, but they do need to prove their qualifying form survives contact with that level of opposition.
That is why a group-stage exit would feel like a disappointment, not an honourable effort. Norway have raised expectations with their talent and, reportedly, with their qualifying numbers. The next storyline is simple: when the World Cup starts, can they turn outsider status into genuine momentum against the strongest teams in their path?