The Norwegian national team It has become one of the most talked about topics on social networks due to two images that reflect very different moments of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
On the one hand, the official photograph of the squad taken by British photographer David Yarrow stands out. In it, Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and the rest of those summoned appear characterized as Viking warriors on a beach near Oslo, with armor, shields, swords and traditional boats in the background.
The image, titled The Vikings are Coming (“The Vikings arrive”), was promoted by the Norwegian Football Federation as part of the presentation of the team that will compete in the World Cup and seeks to establish a link with elements of the country’s history and culture.
In contrast, another series of photographs shows the demanding training conditions faced by the team in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they are preparing for the tournament.
Under temperatures of between 32 and 35 degrees and high levels of humidity, several players, including Haaland, were captured resting on the grass during hydration breaks after work sessions.
The coaching staff headed by Ståle Solbakken chose Greensboro as their base of operations because of its sports facilities and its proximity to the airport. In addition, the team has worked in recent weeks to adapt to the weather conditions it will encounter during the World Cup.
Norway is in Group I along with France, Senegal and Iraq. His debut will be on June 16 against the Iraqi team at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
The contrast between the official photograph inspired by Viking culture and the images of training under high temperatures has generated numerous reactions on social networks during the first days of concentration.
Norway returns to a World Cup after a 28-year absence and comes to the tournament with a generation led by Haaland and Ødegaard.