Come cheer for Norway at the FIFA World Cup!
- Lori Ann Reinhall
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 6
Here in Seattle, the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun! Our city will host six matches at Lumen Field, which has been temporarily branded as Seattle Stadium. Tickets are selling at a premium, but fans without tickets can enjoy free match viewing on a massive 70-foot screen at the Seattle Soccer House, located at Pacific Place. See the full schedule at the FIFA Official Hospitality Platform.
And while the Norwegian team is not coming to Seattle, the Seattle-Bergen Sister Cities Association is coming together to virtually cheer them on as they face off against France on Friday, June 26. The match will be broadcast live from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass, 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Obec Brewing in Ballard. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. We will be joined by our colleagues from the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association, and you and your friends are invited to join in on the fun!
Can Haaland be stopped?
Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, led by star player Erling Haaland and Norway national team captain Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegians had a perfect qualifying campaign, winning all eight of their matches in UEFA Group I to secure their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Erling Haaland's influence on Norway’s breakthrough cannot be overstated. He essentially carried the national team's attack on his shoulders to end their nearly three-decade World Cup absence. Haaland's goal scoring was unprecedented, as he finished as the absolute top scorer across all of global World Cup qualifying. Much to everyone's astonishment, he netted 16 goals in just eight matches.
All in all, Norway was able to rack up 37 total goals across their qualifying campaign. Haaland scored a staggering five goals against Moldova, a hat-trick against Israel, and sealed qualification by scoring a crucial brace in the definitive 4–1 win over Italy. During this qualifying stretch, the Manchester City striker also became the fastest player in modern history to reach 55 national team goals, achieving the feat in only 48 international appearances.
Without a doubt, you can expect both excitement and fun on June 26. We look forward to seeing you at Obec Brewing, as we cheer for Norway and celebrate the power of sports to bring the world together.
