Norway Coach Stale Solbakken Calls Up Andreas Schjelderup, Confirms Aursnes for World Cup Squad

Stale Solbakken, the head coach of the Norway national football team, has revealed the squad for two upcoming international friendlies against the Netherlands on March 27 and Switzerland on March 31. Among those called up is 21-year-old winger Andreas Schjelderup, who currently plays for Benfica.

Schjelderup has been involved with the national team since last November, having appeared in matches against Estonia and Italy. His continued selection indicates that he has established himself as a regular option for Norway’s attacking line-up. This inclusion comes as Norway prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which they have already secured direct qualification.

While Schjelderup is set to participate in the friendlies, midfielder Aursnes will miss the call-up due to injury. Aursnes had recently returned to the national team setup after a two-year absence and was expected to be part of the squad moving forward. Despite his current unavailability, Solbakken has provided reassurance regarding Aursnes’ status for the World Cup.

Solbakken commented on the competition for places within the squad, noting that it remains intense across various positions. He acknowledged that some players who have been part of the team for some time may be disappointed by their exclusion, but emphasized that the selection process will continue until the final World Cup roster is confirmed. Importantly, he mentioned that both Martin Odegaard and Aursnes are considered reserves who, barring unforeseen circumstances, are expected to be included in the World Cup squad.

Aursnes last represented Norway on November 19, 2023, in a 3-3 draw against Scotland during the Euro 2024 qualifiers, a campaign that ultimately ended in Norway failing to qualify for that tournament. The focus has since shifted to the 2026 World Cup, where Norway will face strong competition in Group I, including Senegal and France. The identity of their opening match opponent is yet to be finalized, with Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname possible contenders.

Looking ahead, the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland will provide an opportunity for Solbakken to assess his squad’s readiness and for players like Schjelderup to further cement their places ahead of the World Cup. Meanwhile, the coaching staff will monitor Aursnes’ recovery closely to ensure he can join the team for the tournament, maintaining Norway’s ambitions on the global stage.