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Norway women's national football team facts for kids

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Norway
Shirt badge/Association crest
Association Norwegian Football Federation
(Norges Fotballforbund)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Gemma Grainger
Captain Maren Mjelde
Most caps Hege Riise (188)
Top scorer Isabell Herlovsen (67)
FIFA code NOR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 13 Steady (7 December 2018)
Highest 2 (July – August 2003)
Lowest 16 (December 2023 – August 2024)
First international
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 2–1 Norway 
(Kolding, Denmark; 7 July 1978)
Biggest win
Flag of Norway.svg Norway 17–0 Slovakia 
(Ulefoss, Norway; 19 September 1995)
Biggest defeat
Flag of England.svg England 8–0 Norway 
(Falmer, England; 11 July 2022)
World Cup
Appearances 9 (first in 1991)
Best result Champions (1995)
Olympic Games
Appearances 3 (first in 1996)
Best result Gold medalists (2000)
European Championship
Appearances 12 (first in 1987)
Best result Champions (1987, 1993)
Medal record
Summer Olympics
Gold 2000 Sydney Team
Bronze 1996 Atlanta Team

The Norway women's national football team (Norwegian: Norges kvinnelandslag i fotball) represents Norway in international football. The Norwegian Football Federation controls the team. This team is one of the most successful national teams. They have won the European Championship, the World Cup, and an Olympic gold medal.

History of Norway's Women's Football Team

The Norway women's national football team started in 1978. Their first tournament was the Nordic Championship. At first, Norway struggled against neighbors like Sweden and Denmark. Their first win was against Northern Ireland.

Becoming a Strong Team

Norway's team slowly became stronger in Europe. They started beating teams like England and France. In the first European Championship qualifiers in 1984, Norway finished second in their group. Sweden later won the tournament that year.

The Golden Years Begin

Norway kept improving. In 1987, they qualified for the 1987 Euros. Norway hosted the finals. They beat Italy in the semi-finals. Then, they faced Sweden in the final. Norway won 2–1, marking their first victory against Sweden in a final. This was the first time a Norwegian sports team had won a major title.

The team continued their success. They won another final against Sweden in China in 1988. In the 1989 Euros, Norway reached the final but lost to West Germany. After this, Even Pellerud became the new coach. He led the team to the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. Before the World Cup, Norway reached their third European final in a row, losing to Germany in extra time. In the World Cup, they made it to the semi-finals but lost to the USA.

Under Pellerud, Norway won their second European title in 1993. They beat Denmark in the semi-finals and Italy in the final. Norway also won the first-ever Algarve Cup in 1994.

World Champions and Olympic Medalists

The 1995 World Cup in Sweden is a famous part of Norwegian sports history. Norway won all their group games. They then beat Denmark in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they faced the USA and won 1–0. This was the USA's first loss in an official international tournament.

Norway met Germany in the final. Despite losing to Germany in previous Euro finals, Norway won 2–0. They scored two goals in four minutes to become world champions! Coach Pellerud left the team shortly after this big win.

Women's football became an Olympic sport in 1996. Norway qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics because they were World Cup champions. They drew with Brazil and beat Germany and Japan. In the semi-finals, they lost to the USA in extra time. However, Norway won the bronze medal by defeating Brazil.

The 1997 Euros were a bit disappointing for the world champions. Norway only reached the semi-finals. In the 1999 World Cup, Norway won all their group games. They beat Sweden 3–1 in the quarter-finals. However, they lost heavily to China 5–0 in the semi-finals. In the match for third place, Norway lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout.

Norway was not a top favorite to win the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They lost to the USA but then beat Nigeria and China. In the semi-finals, Norway beat Germany with a lucky own goal. The final was a close game against the USA. Norway won 3–2 in extra time with a "golden goal." This made them Olympic champions! The coach, Per-Mathias Høgmo, left after this amazing achievement.

A Period of Challenges

After their golden years, the team faced some challenges. Under new coach Åge Steen, their performance became less consistent. In the 2001 Euros, Norway reached the semi-finals but lost to Germany. In the 2003 World Cup, they lost to Brazil and then to the USA in the quarter-finals. They did not qualify for the 2004 Olympics.

Brief Comeback

With a new coach, Bjarne Berntsen, Norway improved. They reached the final of the 2005 Euros. They had a thrilling 3–2 win over Sweden in the semi-final. But again, Germany defeated Norway in the final.

Norway qualified for the 2007 World Cup in China. They topped their group after beating Canada and Ghana, and drawing with Australia. They then beat China 1–0 in the quarter-finals. However, they lost 0–3 to Germany in the semi-finals. In the match for third place, Norway lost to the USA. Norway's top scorer, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen, won the Bronze Boot award.

After this, the team faced some difficulties. In the 2008 Olympics, Norway beat the USA but then lost to Japan and Brazil in the quarter-finals. In 2008, five players decided not to play for the national team, causing a stir. Despite this, Norway had a good run in the 2009 Euros. They beat Sweden 3–1 in the quarter-finals but lost to Germany in the semi-finals.

New Coaches and Recent Years

Eli Landsem became the first woman coach in late 2009. Some players who had left returned to the team. Norway qualified for the 2011 World Cup. However, for the first time, they did not reach the quarter-finals, losing to Brazil and Australia. This also meant they missed the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Norway then qualified for the 2013 European Cup. They finished as runners-up in the finals held in Sweden.

Current Challenges

At the 2015 World Cup, Norway played well in the group stage. They beat Thailand and Ivory Coast and drew with Germany. However, they lost 2–1 to England in the Round of 16.

In December 2016, Martin Sjögren became the new coach. Norway qualified for Euro 2017 without losing a game. They were expected to do well but lost all three group games without scoring any goals.

In 2017, star player Ada Hegerberg announced she was taking a break from the national team. Later that year, the Norway Football Association made a big change. They announced that male and female players would receive equal pay. This meant a nearly 50% pay increase for the women's team!

In 2018, Norway defeated the Netherlands 2–1. This win helped them qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup. The Netherlands, who had won Euro 2017, had to go through play-offs. In the 2019 World Cup, Norway reached the quarter-finals but lost to England.

Euro 2022

At Euro 2022, Norway faced a tough loss against England, losing 8–0. This was their biggest defeat ever. Norway was eliminated after the first round, similar to Euro 2017. They won their opening match against Northern Ireland but then lost to Austria.

All-time Record

This table shows Norway's results in various competitions.

Recent Games and Upcoming Matches

This section shows the team's recent game results and future scheduled matches.

Legend

      Win       Draw       Lose       Void or Postponed       Fixture

2023 Matches

2024 Matches

2025 Matches

Coaching Staff

Current Coaching Staff

Position Name Ref.
Head coach England Gemma Grainger
Assistant coach Norway Ingvild Stensland
England Lee Skyrme
Goalkeeping coach Norway Jon Knudsen

Players

Current Squad

These 23 players were chosen for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-off matches in November and December 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of October 29, 2024, after the match against Albania.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Cecilie Fiskerstrand (1996-03-20) 20 March 1996 (age 29) 52 0 Norway LSK Kvinner
1GK Aurora Mikalsen (1996-03-21) 21 March 1996 (age 29) 21 0 Norway Brann
1GK Selma Panengstuen (2002-11-22) 22 November 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Norway Kolbotn

2DF Maren Mjelde (1989-11-06) 6 November 1989 (age 35) 177 20 Norway Arna-Bjørnar
2DF Tuva Hansen (1997-08-04) 4 August 1997 (age 27) 46 1 Germany Bayern Munich
2DF Guro Bergsvand (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 31) 34 6 England Brighton & Hove Albion
2DF Mathilde Harviken (2001-12-29) 29 December 2001 (age 23) 26 1 Norway Rosenborg
2DF Marit Bratberg Lund (1997-11-07) 7 November 1997 (age 27) 14 1 Norway Brann
2DF Emilie Woldvik (1999-01-08) 8 January 1999 (age 26) 6 0 Norway LSK Kvinner
2DF Marthine Østenstad (2001-03-18) 18 March 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Norway Brann

3MF Guro Reiten (1994-07-26) 26 July 1994 (age 30) 96 21 England Chelsea
3MF Frida Maanum (1999-07-16) 16 July 1999 (age 25) 82 20 England Arsenal
3MF Vilde Bøe Risa (1995-07-13) 13 July 1995 (age 29) 78 3 Spain Atlético Madrid
3MF Ingrid Syrstad Engen (1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 (age 27) 78 6 Spain Barcelona
3MF Emilie Joramo (2002-01-13) 13 January 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Sweden Hammarby
3MF Justine Kielland (2002-11-22) 22 November 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Germany VfL Wolfsburg
3MF Olaug Tvedten (2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Norway Vålerenga

4FW Caroline Graham Hansen (captain) (1995-02-18) 18 February 1995 (age 30) 110 47 Spain Barcelona
4FW Ada Hegerberg (1995-07-10) 10 July 1995 (age 29) 84 49 France Lyon
4FW Karina Sævik (1996-03-24) 24 March 1996 (age 29) 55 8 Norway Vålerenga
4FW Synne Jensen (1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 29) 25 4 Spain Atlético Madrid
4FW Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (2001-10-24) 24 October 2001 (age 23) 23 7 England Manchester United
4FW Cathinka Tandberg (2004-06-18) 18 June 2004 (age 21) 4 0 Sweden Linköping

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been part of the squad in the last 12 months.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Guro Pettersen (1991-08-22) 22 August 1991 (age 33) 7 0 Germany Werder Bremen v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, 16 July 2024

DF Thea Bjelde (2000-06-05) 5 June 2000 (age 25) 24 1 Norway Vålerenga v. Flag of Albania.svg Albania, 29 October 2024
DF Maria Thorisdottir (1993-06-05) 5 June 1993 (age 32) 71 3 England Brighton & Hove Albion v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, 16 July 2024
DF Anja Sønstevold (1992-06-21) 21 June 1992 (age 32) 31 1 Italy Inter Milan v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, 9 April 2024

MF Elisabeth Terland (2001-06-28) 28 June 2001 (age 23) 35 9 England Manchester United v. Flag of Albania.svg Albania, 29 October 2024
MF Lisa Naalsund (1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 30) 23 1 England Manchester United v. Flag of Albania.svg Albania, 29 October 2024
MF Signe Gaupset (2005-06-18) 18 June 2005 (age 20) 4 1 Norway Brann v. Flag of Albania.svg Albania, 29 October 2024

FW Sophie Román Haug (1999-06-04) 4 June 1999 (age 26) 23 12 England Liverpool v. Flag of Albania.svg Albania, 25 October 2024
FW Emilie Haavi (1992-06-16) 16 June 1992 (age 33) 103 16 Italy Roma v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, 9 April 2024
FW Julie Blakstad (2001-08-27) 27 August 2001 (age 23) 30 3 Sweden Hammarby v. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands, 9 April 2024
FW Mimmi Löfwenius (1994-02-16) 16 February 1994 (age 31) 2 0 Norway Vålerenga v. Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal, 1 December 2023 INJ

WIT Withdrew from the squad
INJ Injured
MED Withdrew on medical grounds
ST Named to the standby list

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and most goals scored for Norway. The information is updated after the match against Albania. Players in bold are still playing for Norway.

Competitive Records

These tables show Norway's performance in major international football tournaments.

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup Record Qualification Record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D* L GF GA
China 1991 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 0 2 14 10 Squad UEFA Women's Euro 1991
Sweden 1995 Champions 1st 6 6 0 0 23 1 Squad UEFA Women's Euro 1995
United States 1999 Fourth place 4th 6 4 1 1 16 8 Squad 6 4 1 1 13 5
United States 2003 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 0 2 10 6 Squad 6 5 1 0 21 3
China 2007 Fourth place 4th 6 3 1 2 12 11 Squad 8 7 1 0 22 3
Germany 2011 Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 2 5 Squad 10 9 1 0 42 2
Canada 2015 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 9 4 Squad 10 9 0 1 41 5
France 2019 Quarter-finals 8th 5 2 1 2 7 7 Squad 8 7 0 1 22 4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Round of 16 13th 4 1 1 2 7 4 Squad 10 9 1 0 47 2
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 1 Title 9/9 44 25 5 14 100 56 58 50 5 3 208 24
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics Record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
United States 1996 Bronze medalists 3rd 5 3 1 1 12 6 Squad
Australia 2000 Gold medalists 1st 5 4 0 1 9 6 Squad
Greece 2004 Did not qualify
China 2008 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 5 7 Squad
United Kingdom 2012 Did not qualify
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020
France 2024
United States 2028 To be determined
Australia 2032
Total 1 Gold medal 3/8 14 9 1 4 26 19
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship Record Qualifying Record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D* L GF GA
1984 Did not qualify 6 3 1 2 10 6
Norway 1987 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 4 1 Squad 6 3 3 0 12 6
West Germany 1989 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 3 5 Squad 8 4 1 3 15 11
Denmark 1991 Runners-up 2nd 2 0 1 1 1 3 Squad 8 7 1 0 16 1
Italy 1993 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 2 0 Squad 6 5 1 0 30 0
England Germany Norway Sweden 1995 Semi-finals 3rd 2 1 0 1 5 7 Squad 8 7 1 0 40 6
Norway 1997 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 5 2 Squad 6 5 1 0 33 1
Germany 2001 Semi-finals 3rd 4 1 1 2 4 3 Squad 6 6 0 0 25 0
England 2005 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 1 2 10 10 Squad 10 8 1 1 31 7
Finland 2009 Semi-finals 3rd 5 2 1 2 6 9 Squad 8 7 1 0 26 0
Sweden 2013 Runners-up 2nd 6 3 2 1 7 4 Squad 10 8 0 2 35 9
Netherlands 2017 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 4 Squad 8 7 1 0 29 2
England 2022 10th 3 1 0 2 4 10 Squad 6 6 0 0 34 1
Switzerland 2025 To be determined To be determined
Total 2 Titles 12/13 39 16 7 16 51 58 96 76 12 8 336 50
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League Record
League Phase Finals
Season LG Grp Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Pos Pld W D L GF GA
2023–24 A 2 3rd 6 1 2 3 9 8 Same position 12nd Europe 2024 Did not qualify
2025–26 A To be determined 2026 To be determined
Total 6 1 2 3 9 8 Total -

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is a special invitational football tournament for women's national teams. It happens every year in Portugal. It is one of the most important women's football events.

Algarve Cup Record
Year Result
Portugal 1994 Champions
Portugal 1995 Third place
Portugal 1996 Champions
Portugal 1997 Champions
Portugal 1998 Champions
Portugal 1999 Third place
Portugal 2000 Runner-up
Portugal 2001 Fifth place
Portugal 2002 Runner-up
Portugal 2003 Third place
Portugal 2004 Runner-up
Portugal 2005 Fifth place
Portugal 2006 Fifth place
Portugal 2007 Fifth place
Portugal 2008 Third place
Portugal 2009 Ninth place
Portugal 2010 Sixth place
Portugal 2011 Fifth place
Portugal 2012 Seventh place
Portugal 2013 Third place
Portugal 2014 Tenth place
Portugal 2015 Fifth place
Portugal 2016 Did not enter
Portugal 2017 Eleventh place
Portugal 2018 Seventh place
Portugal 2019 Champions
Portugal 2020 Third place
Portugal 2022 Third place

Other Trophies Won

  • FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament: Winner 1988
  • Algarve Cup: Winner 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2019
  • Albena Cup: Winner 1988, 1989
  • Four Nations Tournament: Winner 2002, 2013
  • Cyprus Tournament: Winner 1993

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección femenina de fútbol de Noruega para niños

  • Sport in Norway
  • Football in Norway
  • Women's football in Norway
  • List of Norway women's international footballers
  • Norway women's national under-17 football team
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