Italy produced a dramatic 5-4 victory over Israel last night, a result that has intensified the pressure on Norway in the race for automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Italians’ resurgence has narrowed the gap at the top of the group and placed additional emphasis on Norway’s ability to maintain consistency in the coming fixtures.
Norway have begun their qualifying campaign in excellent fashion, winning each of their first four matches. That perfect record currently sees them three points clear of Italy, although the Azzurri will take great confidence from their recent success and from the fact that Norway’s margin for error is shrinking.
Earlier in the campaign, Norway claimed a vital win over Italy, giving them the edge in the head-to-head battle. However, with a reverse fixture still to be played, the group remains finely balanced. Every match now carries greater importance, particularly the upcoming encounter against Moldova, which Norway cannot afford to lose.
Italy’s Revival Brings New Pressure
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Had Italy drawn with Israel, Norway would have enjoyed more breathing room at the top of the group. Instead, their thrilling win has drawn them closer, ensuring that the race for qualification remains open. While Norway remain favourites to finish first, the challenge has intensified, and maintaining momentum is now essential.
The focus for Ståle Solbakken’s men will be on continuing their winning run, while ensuring they avoid defeat in the critical rematch against Italy. Failure to do so could see their advantage overturned, particularly if Italy sustain their form through the remainder of the group.
Ødegaard on the Battle Ahead
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Martin Ødegaard, who shares a club dressing room with Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori, acknowledged that the two had spoken about the qualification battle. However, he was keen to emphasise that Norway must concentrate on their own path rather than external factors. As cited by [TV2](https://www.tv2.no/sport/fotball/roper-samtaler-ja-vi-har-snakket-om-det/18076284/), Ødegaard said:
“Yes … We’ve talked about it, we had to talk a little bit about the last game. We’ve come across it, but as I said before we met them last time, they have a very solid team and a lot of good players. They’re probably going to be good all the way through, so it’s up to us to keep going and push on.”
His remarks reflect Norway’s determination to focus on their own performances rather than becoming distracted by Italy’s resurgence. For Ødegaard and his teammates, the priority remains simple: keep winning, stay disciplined, and ensure qualification remains within their own hands.