Liverpool fan and former youth prospect Thelo Aasgaard is heading to the World Cup, and 12 years on from being released, he has carved out an impressive career for himself
11:38, 11 Jun 2026Updated 11:38, 11 Jun 2026
Thelo Aasgaard #19 of Norway runs downfield during the international friendly match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium on June 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey.
A former Liverpool prospect is now set to represent his country at the World Cup. (Image: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
For their World Cup portait, Norway decided to get the whole squad to wear the jerseys of the clubs where they started their careers. A fun idea, but many would have been taken aback by one particular kit.
In amongst the expected Viking and Bodo-Glimt colors, the Liverpool jersey certainly stood out. It belonged to Thelo Aasgaard.
His will be an unfamiliar name to many, because Aasgaard never made an Anfield appearance. But his 12-year journey from the Liverpool academy to the World Cup is one of perseverance and determination, with a potential glamor tie against the likes of Kylian Mbappe now awaiting him in the USA.
Of course, Aasgaard will be in elite company regardless of the opponent. He is joined in the Norway squad by the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, star names of the Premier League.
For his part, Aasgaard now plays his football in Scotland, with Rangers. Still only 24, he was a regular in the Scottish top flight this season, bagging five goals and three assists from his midfield base.
How much game time he gets at the tournament remains to be seen, although he has played a part in both of the pre-tournament friendlies. And his mere presence on the world's biggest stage would have been hard for him to believe a little over a decade ago.
That was when Aasgaard was released from the Liverpool academy as a pre-teen. Speaking to the BBC, his father recalls asking his son if he was sure he wanted to carry on with football:
Thelo Aasgaard of Wigan Athletic looks to move forward with the ball away from Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town during the Sky Bet League One match between Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town at DW Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Wigan, England.
Thelo Aasgaard broke through at Wigan after previously being released from Liverpool's youth setup.(Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
"I remember him being obviously a bit upset," Jonathan recounted. "And I remember sitting him down and I said, are you sure this is what you want to pursue?
"He didn't budge at all. He was clear that that was not a question [that] he was going to entertain."
Wigan Athletic proved willing to give him a chance following his release. Six years of academy football later, he ended up being one of the beneficiaries of the club's administration and subsequent relegation to League One, as one of a number of youth players bumped into the senior squad for the 2020/21 season.
Sometimes in football, you just need an opening. Aasgaard seized upon it, playing 33 times that season, primarily in the advanced midifeld role where he had once idolized Steven Gerrard (Fernando Torres being his other hero).
Injuries bit in the following campaign, and he must have felt in real danger of being sidelined when the Latics won promotion to the Championship. But Aasgaard was more important than ever in the second tier, playing 41 times.
The midfielder remained at Wigan until 2025, but has since earned two moves in quick succession. Luton snapped him up in January of last year, but following their relegation, he moved north of the border to Rangers.
His brief time with the Hatters was notable for one thing: his first Norway call-up. He marked the occasion with a goal and assist against Moldova, and has been included in every squad since.
Thelo Aasgaard of Norway celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Erling Haaland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between Moldova and Norway at Stadionul Zimbru on March 22, 2025 in Chisinau, Moldova.
Aasgaard impressed on his Norway debut against Moldova in 2025.(Image: Vasile Mihai-Antonio - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The highlight undoubtedly came in the reverse fixture against Moldova later that year, shortly after Aasgaard had made the switch to Rangers. He scored four of the goals in an 11-1 thumping (although he still managed to get out-scored by Haaland, who netted five).
He hasn't found the net for his country since, but he will be dreaming of adding to the tally at the World Cup. That said, even just getting onto the pitch would be a huge pinch-me moment for a player who must have thought his dreams were over at one point.
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But if he does get his big moment, his dad will be hoping he saves it until after the first game. Jonathan, once the principal cellist with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, will have to watch the opener on TV due to playing a concert.
He has promised to bring out Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Ode to Joy if Norway go all the way. But for Aasgaard, the Liverpool schoolboy cut loose, a grand celebration is surely already in order.