How do Norway look ahead of the World Cup?
Norway enter the 2023 Women's World Cup in mixed form, having most recently drawn 3-3 with Sweden and losing 4-2 to Spain. They did beat Uruguay 1-0 in February, but will be hoping to pick up some momentum early on in the tournament as they head down under.
It was a disappointing performance in the Euros last year, as the Scandinavian side were thumped 8-0 by the hosts England, before losing to Austria 1-0. That meant, despite an opening 4-1 win against Northern Ireland, they failed to make it out the group stage.
The Norwegians will be buoyed by the return of Ballon D'or winner Ada Hegerberg, who missed the 2019 World Cup in France. She did play in the Euros last year, but has since missed a lot of game time due to injury.
Ada is the key for Norway to be successful and they will fancy their chances of making it out the group which consists of the Philippines, Switzerland and co-hosts New Zealand. The striker, who plays her club football for French Division One side Lyon, holds the record for most goals in a UEFA Women's Champions League season with 15. She is also currently the all-time highest goalscorer in the Champions League (59), which serves as an indicator of her overall ability to score goals.
Norway also boast two Women's Super League stars in their 23 deep squad. Chelsea winger Guro Reiten and Arsenal's Frida Maanum - who can play as both a midfielder and a defender. Her versatility and Reiten's goal contributions led to them both being nominated for the Player of the Season award. Both will be hopping to transfer their club form onto the international stage.
Norway are managed by Ex-England interim and Team GB Coach Hege Riise, who was appointed in August last year. A Norwegian footballing legend herself, she will be hoping to transmit her game knowledge into her players. Riise won the World Cup herself in 1995 and was awarded the Golden Ball in the same tournament. She also won the UEFA Women's Championship in 1993, as well as a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The coveted 53 year-old had a disappointing reign with England as interim, so will look to impress with her managerial prowess, as she undertakes the task of taking charge of her own country.
Below is their full 23-person squad for the upcoming World Cup which begins on the 20th July:
GK: Guro Pettersen (VÃ¥lerenga)
GK: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner)
GK: Aurora Mikalsen (Brann)
DF: Anja Sønstevold (Inter Milan)
DF: Mathilde Harviken (Rosenborg)
DF: Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich)
DF: Maren Mjelde (Chelsea)
DF: Guro Bergsvand (Brighton)
DF: Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann)
DF: Sara Horte (Rosenborg)
MF: Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona)
MF: Vilde Bøe Risa (Manchester United)
MF: Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
MF: Thea Bjelde (VÃ¥lerenga)
MF: Emilie Haavi (Roma)
MF: Amalie Eikeland (Reading)
MF: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)
MF: Julie Blakstad (Manchester City)
MF: Frida Maanum (Arsenal)
FW: Karina Sævik (Avaldsnes)
FW: Ada Hegerberg (Lyon)
FW: Sophie Roman Haug (Roma)
FW: Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg)