Norway's Jörgen Strand Larsen Confident Ahead of World Cup Friendly Against Sweden

As Norway prepares to face Sweden in a crucial friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Norwegian forward Jörgen Strand Larsen has made bold remarks highlighting Norway's confidence and competitive edge. The match, scheduled for June 1 at 19:00 in Oslo's Ullevål stadium, holds special significance as Norway's only home fixture before heading to the USA for the World Cup.

Strand Larsen, who plays for Crystal Palace, referred to Sweden as the 'little brother' in the Nordic rivalry, expressing a strong desire to beat them, saying, "It would feel very good to beat them." He openly mocked Sweden's self-assuredness regarding their World Cup prospects, pointing out their struggles in qualification rounds where they managed just two draws and advanced via playoffs. Norway, in contrast, enjoyed eight consecutive wins with an impressive goal difference of 37-5, reflecting their stronger form.

Despite acknowledging Sweden's claims of being World Cup contenders, Strand Larsen took a lighthearted jab by saying Sweden is only better than Norway in table tennis, underscoring a spirited rivalry. He emphasized Norway's focus on their own preparation, stating, "We don’t care about what Sweden does, we need to focus on ourselves." This match will also be Strand Larsen's first experience playing in a Norway-Sweden derby at the senior level.

The Norwegian squad views this friendly as a critical test before the World Cup. Strand Larsen highlighted that while the team is ready for an intense and competitive match, caution is necessary to avoid injuries. Norway’s players, though lacking extensive tournament experience, have performed strongly in their club teams, which builds confidence heading into the competition.

Strand Larsen also noted the competition within the team, competing with star striker Erling Haaland for playing time but sees the match against Sweden as an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. Following the friendly, Norway will travel to the USA for further World Cup preparations, including a final test against Morocco.

Overall, Strand Larsen’s candid comments and Norway’s recent unbeaten streak set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown, with Norway confident and eager to assert themselves against their traditional rivals before the global tournament.