The Champions League group stage begins today, and Norway will have a significant presence in the competition this season. While the country has previously contributed a small number of players from top European clubs, Bodø/Glimt’s qualification for the tournament has dramatically increased the number of Norwegian participants.
Over the past few seasons, Norway has produced some of Europe’s most exciting talents, and that trend shows no sign of slowing. Among the highest-profile stars this season are Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, who are expected to play pivotal roles for their respective clubs.
### Strong Norwegian Representation
According to [TV2](https://www.tv2.no/sport/fotball/31-nordmenn-er-klare-for-champions-league/18085494/), there will be 31 Norwegian players registered for the Champions League this season. Of these, 19 have been registered by Bodø/Glimt, highlighting the club’s contribution to the country’s representation in Europe’s premier competition.
Manchester City have included Haaland and Oscar Bobb in their squad, while Arsenal have registered Ødegaard as their sole Norwegian player. Other notable participants include Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup for Benfica, Alexander Sorloth for Atletico Madrid, Julian Ryerson for Borussia Dortmund, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Birger Meling for FC Copenhagen, Oliver Edvardsen for Ajax, Mathias Rasmussen for Union Saint-Gilloise, and Hugo Vetlesen for Club Brugge.
### Exciting Prospects for Norwegian Fans
The large number of Norwegian players in the competition provides fans in the country with plenty of talent to follow as the tournament kicks off. With players participating across several of Europe’s top clubs, supporters will be keen to see how these individuals perform on the continental stage. Many will hope that one of them can help lead their team to Champions League glory this season, adding another chapter to Norway’s growing reputation for producing world-class footballers.
With the group stage set to begin in just a few hours, Norwegian fans will be watching closely, eager to see the impact their countrymen can have in one of the most prestigious competitions in world football.