Norway must improve for World Cup push after Nations League promotion

Norway coach Stale Solbakken celebrated his team's promotion to Nations League Group A after Sunday’s victory over Kazakhstan, but emphasised that despite their potential more improvement was needed as they target qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Their final group match against Kazakhstan ended in a 5-0 win at home, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick, but the real drama unfolded in Vienna minutes after Norway's game ended.

Austria's 1-1 draw at home to Slovenia handed Norway top spot in Group B3, with Adam Gnezda Cerin scoring the equaliser for the visitors nine minutes from time.

Norway's win gave them 13 points, two ahead of Austria, and secured promotion to Group A for the next Nations League.