Group I could be of particular interest to Luciano Spalletti’s Italy, as if they are eliminated from the Nations League by Germany, the Azzurri would end up in this group. Obviously, the main threat in the race for first place – the only one that guarantees direct qualification for the World Cup – would be Norway, a team that can count on players of the caliber of Haaland, Odegaard, and Sorloth, in short, players who have been playing at the highest levels in Europe for several seasons now.
However, we are talking about a team that has not yet managed to show its qualities. Although it had all the right ingredients to do well in major international competitions, Norway failed to qualify for both the last World Cup (2022) and last summer’s European Championship, ‘forcing’ a champion like Haaland to ‘watch the event on TV’, as they say in these cases. To be honest, the Scandinavians have not played in the World Cup since 1998, and in the European Championships since 2000. Coach Stale Solbakken will try to avoid another flop, although with Germany and Italy nearby, it will be difficult to finish ahead of everyone else.
Norway reborn in the Nations League
In the last Nations League, however, Norway gained confidence by deservedly winning their League B group and securing promotion to League A. Haaland and his teammates finished ahead of the formidable Austria thanks to four wins and a draw in six games.
The first challenge in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is one that cannot be missed if they are to avoid getting off to a bad start. With all due respect, Moldova is not a team to be feared. However, Serghei Clescenco’s men did well in the Nations League, winning League D ahead of Andorra and Malta (two wins and one defeat), two teams of roughly the same level.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
Norway showed promise in the last Nations League and should not slip up in their opening match against a team that will likely battle Estonia for last place in this group. The Scandinavians, who scored 15 goals in six games between September and November, will most likely win by at least two goals.
Probable line-ups for Moldova-Norway
MOLDOVA (5-3-2): Celeadnic; Revenco, Craciun, Baboglo, Mudrac, Platica; Caimacov, Rata, Motpan; Postolachi, Nicolaescu.
NORWAY (4-3-3): Selvik; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Ryerson; Berg, Berge, Odegaard; Hauge, Haaland, Sorloth.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3