All Whites vs Norway | Wed 15th Oct | 4:00am (NZT) | Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo, Norway)

103 supporters locked in and counting for this one, kiwis coming in mainly from around Europe with some timing flights from New Zealand for a cheeky detour on what they were originally coming for, you can link in here. Excited to build on the big vibes and noise of 100 at London vs Australia Oct 2023. Local kick-off time in Oslo is Tue 14th Oct at 6:00pm.

Could it be the time we see Ryan Thomas and Ben Old good to go with easy European travel, and then we are getting very close to an 11 of players in European or MLS leagues?
eg 
                           Wood
        Old           Thomas         McCowatt
                     Bell   Stamenic
Cacace   Bindon Boxall/Surman        RB (eek)
                        Crocombe 

Leagues played in last season: 
Top division in England, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Italy, USA and two in third division England. 

Ryan Thomas more of a CM than AM and Eli Just and Singh offer something different. But how important, once fit and playing regularly, is the club level they play?

Important to remember that Norway are in the midst of World Cup qualifying.
5 teams in their pool & they have played 4 of their 8 pool games.
A perfect record to date with 4 victories.
That includes vital wins over Israel 4-2 in Hungary (Israeli home game) & Italy 3-0 at home.
 
Current standings.
Norway (4 games, 12 pts), Israel (3 games, 6 pts),  Italy (2 games, 3 pts), Estonia (4 games, 3 pts) & Moldova (3 games, 0 pts).

1st place WC qualification, and 2nd place into the UEFA WC playoffs.

So Norway looking good. They have one pool game in Sept, hosting Moldova, who they have already beaten 5-0 away. So by the Oct window they will be a perfect 15 pts (5 wins).

A few days prior the AWs in Oct, Norway have a huge WC qualifier hosting Israel. A win in that game and Norway may be a locked in WC qualifier. 

The Norwegians haven't been to a WC since 1998 (28 years)! So if they qualify it will be a big party in Oslo. Their Bahrain game. They could still all be hungover when the AWs turn up. Regardless I think Haaland and the other big guns will likely sit out the NZ game. Norway 'B'?

If Norway do beat Israel, but are still not mathematically locked in for 2026, that could change the day the AWs play in Oslo. That same day Italy & Israel (their rivals to finish 1st) play each other in Rome.

So a strong chance when the AWs play it will be a fairly relaxed carnival atmosphere with the locals on the piss, after 28 years of waiting.

coochiee

Important to remember that Norway are in the midst of World Cup qualifying.
5 teams in their pool & they have played 4 of their 8 pool games.
A perfect record to date with 4 victories.
That includes vital wins over Israel 4-2 in Hungary (Israeli home game) & Italy 3-0 at home.
 
Current standings.
Norway (4 games, 12 pts), Israel (3 games, 6 pts),  Italy (2 games, 3 pts), Estonia (4 games, 3 pts) & Moldova (3 games, 0 pts).

1st place WC qualification, and 2nd place into the UEFA WC playoffs.

So Norway looking good. They have one pool game in Sept, hosting Moldova, who they have already beaten 5-0 away. So by the Oct window they will be a perfect 15 pts (5 wins).

A few days prior the AWs in Oct, Norway have a huge WC qualifier hosting Israel. A win in that game and Norway may be a locked in WC qualifier. 

The Norwegians haven't been to a WC since 1998 (28 years)! So if they qualify it will be a big party in Oslo. Their Bahrain game. They could still all be hungover when the AWs turn up. Regardless I think Haaland and the other big guns will likely sit out the NZ game. Norway 'B'?

If Norway do beat Israel, but are still not mathematically locked in for 2026, that could change the day the AWs play in Oslo. That same day Italy & Israel (their rivals to finish 1st) play each other in Rome.

So a strong chance when the AWs play it will be a fairly relaxed carnival atmosphere with the locals on the piss, after 28 years of waiting.

Given amount of games they would have been playing maybe a second string norway team takes the field?

After being in Canada for our two decent results, I really cant wait for this game and hopefully Poland. I really do think we'll do OK next year at the WC.

dick le roc returns

coochiee

Important to remember that Norway are in the midst of World Cup qualifying.
5 teams in their pool & they have played 4 of their 8 pool games.
A perfect record to date with 4 victories.
That includes vital wins over Israel 4-2 in Hungary (Israeli home game) & Italy 3-0 at home.
 
Current standings.
Norway (4 games, 12 pts), Israel (3 games, 6 pts),  Italy (2 games, 3 pts), Estonia (4 games, 3 pts) & Moldova (3 games, 0 pts).

1st place WC qualification, and 2nd place into the UEFA WC playoffs.

So Norway looking good. They have one pool game in Sept, hosting Moldova, who they have already beaten 5-0 away. So by the Oct window they will be a perfect 15 pts (5 wins).

A few days prior the AWs in Oct, Norway have a huge WC qualifier hosting Israel. A win in that game and Norway may be a locked in WC qualifier. 

The Norwegians haven't been to a WC since 1998 (28 years)! So if they qualify it will be a big party in Oslo. Their Bahrain game. They could still all be hungover when the AWs turn up. Regardless I think Haaland and the other big guns will likely sit out the NZ game. Norway 'B'?

If Norway do beat Israel, but are still not mathematically locked in for 2026, that could change the day the AWs play in Oslo. That same day Italy & Israel (their rivals to finish 1st) play each other in Rome.

So a strong chance when the AWs play it will be a fairly relaxed carnival atmosphere with the locals on the piss, after 28 years of waiting.

Given amount of games they would have been playing maybe a second string norway team takes the field?

Agree this is Norway's easiest and non-meaningful game in a while amongst a strongest qualification performance in 30 years. Before the Nations League, teams could try things more, formation, tweaking things, so hopefully it's not too far off a full team and it's Haaland 10 mins off the bench... We all know what happened at U20s 😂

They have a team worth half a billion, €500m to our €30m and there is a chance a combined XI would be all Norway. Wood over Haaland? Potentially Libby over a €4m left midfielder.

So if they have half a team rested it's a great game and a tough competition against world class players for us. Haaland and Odegaard are well known but they've got players like Oska Bob and Strand Larson too

. Two back-up number 9s playing at Athletico and Wolves worth €55m total.

When are we getting the game against England rescheduled? It was cancelled due to the pandemic and was hoping it would have resurfaced by now. 

Maybe England get paired with the Aussie's in the World Cup draw and they fancy playing us in preparation.

UK_ALLWHITE

When are we getting the game against England rescheduled? It was cancelled due to the pandemic and was hoping it would have resurfaced by now. 

Maybe England get paired with the Aussie's in the World Cup draw and they fancy playing us in preparation.

Or England might get paired with us. Have they qualified?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

UK_ALLWHITE

When are we getting the game against England rescheduled? It was cancelled due to the pandemic and was hoping it would have resurfaced by now. 

Maybe England get paired with the Aussie's in the World Cup draw and they fancy playing us in preparation.

Or England might get paired with us. Have they qualified?

No but fairly obvious they will do.

Was going to be Belgium too from memory, incredible! Can't think where qualifying might have been or how we got those fixtures. Maybe pre Nations League? To play England in England would be incredible now.

UK_ALLWHITE

When are we getting the game against England rescheduled? It was cancelled due to the pandemic and was hoping it would have resurfaced by now. 

Maybe England get paired with the Aussie's in the World Cup draw and they fancy playing us in preparation.

Yipe Belgium and England. From memory Covid border restrictions were limiting who could play who at the time, and that helped NZF secure the games. Which then got canned themselves

I think Danny also claimed he was a mate of Roberto Martinez (Belgian coach then)

coochiee

Yipe Belgium and England. From memory Covid border restrictions were limiting who could play who at the time, and that helped NZF secure the games. Which then got canned themselves

I think Danny also claimed he was a mate of Roberto Martinez (Belgian coach then)

Casual humble brag hahaha
I think he used to come over and remember him meeting or chatting with Sean Dyche of Chris Wood's Burnley

Anyone know when tickets will be released and where to get them? Hoping to drag two others along with me

Thank you to whoever it was that pointed my younger brother in the right direction for sussing out tickets for this. It will be his birthday and hes stoked. 

He came to me saying he had no luck trying to work out how to go to the game and I told him to give Flying Kiwis a yell and he said you guys were super helpful and got him sorted!

Jazzy Jeff

Anyone know when tickets will be released and where to get them? Hoping to drag two others along with me

Hi Jeff, sorry haven't checked in here for a few weeks. See below if you want to link in. Thanks, Matt.

https://theflyingkiwisfc.com/join-us-for-norway-were-going-to-olso-tour-new-zealand-football-all-whites-vs-norway-october-14th/

Oslo Update:

116 people have paid for tickets, with 49 maybes or not finished the process yet and 19 pulled out because of work/leave etc.

https://theflyingkiwisfc.com/join-us-for-norway-were-going-to-olso-tour-new-zealand-football-all-whites-vs-norway-october-14th/ 

I've asked to get the discount code extended for K7 hotel which is reasonably priced three star with options for rooms of 2 bunk beds or normal rooms in a central location.

I might pop over for a quick reccy next month to nail the details of fan game and prematch. It might be 50% more people than London 2023 which was a great time and atmosphere so really looking forward to it.

will be at this, absolutely stoked! first overseas AWs game

Still two months away and absolutely fizzing for it! 132 now paid for tickets. Posting out kit later this month so it's done and not a bother on matchday. Leaves time to look more at pre-match event and banners for the stadium. I love this game.

mrsmiis

will be at this, absolutely stoked! first overseas AWs game

mrsmiis

will be at this, absolutely stoked! first overseas AWs game

Same mate, it's unreal. Honestly would've thought I'd hop across the ditch and see us play Aussie first, or maybe even a Fiji trip for an OFC qualifier, but no - fudgeing Norway. Mental

Norway beat Finland 1-0 n a friendly. Haaland pen.

They play Moldova in a few days in a qualifier. They lead their WC qualifying group with a perfect 4W from 4 games. Including wins over Israel (2nd) & Italy (3rd).

Those 2 teams have a big game in neutral Hungary (Israel home game) in a few days

https://www.skysports.com/football/norway-vs-finland/teams/528702

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_Group_I

Just flagging, that this game is a 5am kickoff NZ time (6pm Tuesday local time).

Who would’ve thought so many kiwis would be in Norway, proper away day this! Good on you lot for getting amongst it, fingers crossed the boys can deliver a result for you lot. 

Norway beat Moldova 11-1 in WCQ!  Hopefully we do better than the Moldovans.
Scorers Myhre, Haaland (5), Ødegaard and Aasgaard (4).

A few days prior playing the AWs, Norway (15 pts, GD +21, 5 games) host Israel (9 pts, GD +4, 5 games). Big match

If perfect to date Norway win that and Italy (9 pts, GD +5, 4 games) lose in Estonia, the Norwegians are basically off to their first WC in 28 years. 

Actually the same night Norway host the AWs, Israel travel to Italy for a huge game. Could be party atmosphere in Oslo when the NZers arrive there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_Group_I

                          Wood
        Singh     Thomas         McCowatt
                     Bell   Stamenic
Cacace   Bindon Boxall  Tulimona/Payne
                        Paulsen


For me Croc didn't do enough last game. Time for Paulsen.
Surman let Irakunda past him last night for a goal. Boxall and Bindon the top 2 currently for me.

McCowatt probably did way more in that first game then we think. Old has pace which will be better at the end of games.

I think we need to get MDD in this next window to have a look at him. Also the guy (name escapes me) in denmark who is a Left back. 

Dalton Wilkins, who AFAIK is basically two-footed and probably worth having a look at for RB if his fitness issues are resolved. 

Step down memory lane.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/15/david-vs-goliath-when-new-zealand-took-on-haaland-and-won/

George Stanger from New Zealand U20 fights for the ball with Erling Haland from Norway U20. (Source: Photosport)

Norway announce their squad.

The big news at the moment is that UEFA may kick Israel out of WC qualifying. Norway play Israel before the AWs.

But UEFA is now waiting to see what happens with Trump's Gaza peace plan. 

https://news.sky.com/story/move-to-hold-uefa-vote-on-israel-ban-delayed-while-donald-trump-seeks-gaza-deal-13441625

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 💥 pic.twitter.com/acvR554t8r

— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) September 30, 2025

Only 4 players from the Eliteserien and none from Bell's Viking. Wonder if local pundits consider he would be close to good enough for their national team. Does seem one of the better DMs in the Eliteserien

https://www.fotball.no/landslag/norge-a-herrer/2025/herrelandslagets-tropp-til-kommende-samling/

GK Ørjan Nyland - Sevilla
GK Egil Selvik - Watford
GK Mathias Dyngeland - Brann

DF Kristoffer Ajer - Brentford
DF Julian Ryerson - Borussia Dortmund
DF Leo Skiri Østigård - Genoa
DF Marcus Holmgren Pedersen - Torino
DF Andreas Hanche-Olsen - Mainz 05
DF Fredrik André Bjørkan - Bodø/Glimt
DF David Møller Wolfe - Wolverhampton Wanderers
DF Torbjørn Heggem - Bologna

MF Martin Ødegaard (captain) - Arsenal
MF Sander Berge - Fulham
MF Patrick Berg - Bodø/Glimt
MF Antonio Nusa - RB Leipzig
MF Aron Dønnum - Toulouse
MF Oscar Bobb - Manchester City
MF Felix Horn Myhre - Brann
MF Andreas Schjelderup - Benfica
MF Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers

FW Alexander Sørloth - Atlético Madrid
FW Erling Haaland (vice-captain) - Manchester City
FW Jørgen Strand Larsen - Wolverhampton Wanderers
FW Aune Heggebø - West Bromwich Albion

coochiee

Norway announce their squad.

The big news at the moment is that UEFA may kick Israel out of WC qualifying. Norway play Israel before the AWs.

But UEFA is now waiting to see what happens with Trump's Gaza peace plan. 

https://news.sky.com/story/move-to-hold-uefa-vote-on-israel-ban-delayed-while-donald-trump-seeks-gaza-deal-13441625

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 💥 pic.twitter.com/acvR554t8r

— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) September 30, 2025

Wouldn't it have made more sense for Norway to travel down to Oceania to play both Israel and New Zealand?

The Norwegians wouldn't want a bar of that idea.

The Israel game is a crucial WC qualifier for them. They haven't been to a WC for 28 years from memory. All their squad are based in Europe. Why fly to the only end of the world, something they are not familiar with at all. Madness. Makes zero sense

Norway beat Israel and they have virtualy secured their spot at next year's big event. Basically their Bahrain moment. Party time in Oslo with the AWs the digestif. Downing the akevitt

1985

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1988

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1989

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1997 vs norway, lost 0-3
Keith Pritchett's second to last game in charge, before being usurped by a far worse coach in Joe McGrath

https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nz-intres-det90.html#97

Odegaard is out for the window, another injury. Gutted because I would've liked to see him play, but gives a boost to our chances.

Is a good chance Norway roll out a B side verus us. Haaland will have a 50 game plus season, why add to that by playing a pretty meaningless from their view, friendly game. 

coochiee

Is a good chance Norway roll out a B side verus us. Haaland will have a 50 game plus season, why add to that by playing a pretty meaningless from their view, friendly game. 

Should call it the Nordic Ashes then they might take it seriously.

The AWs could roll in Oslo sporting t shirts with the 2019 U20 2-0 win emblazoned on the front

coochiee

Is a good chance Norway roll out a B side verus us. Haaland will have a 50 game plus season, why add to that by playing a pretty meaningless from their view, friendly game. 

A Nordic B side will still be competitive enough to dominate even our best XI.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/10/06/injury-forces-arsenal-skipper-to-withdraw-from-norway-squad-to-face-all-whites/

Injury forces Arsenal skipper to withdraw from Norway squad to face All Whites.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from the Norway squad for October’s international against New Zealand after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee.

Ødegaard (26), who also captains the Norway national team, sustained the injury in a collision with West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville during Arsenal’s 2-0 win in the English Premier League on Sunday October 5 (NZT).

It was the third EPL home fixture in a row that Ødegaard had to be substituted.

Confirming Ødegaard had been withdrawn from the Norway squad, Arsenal’s post-match statement said: “Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.”

Centre back Leo Østigård has also withdrawn from the squad after breaking a rib.

Eivind Helland (Brann) and Kristian Malt Arnstad (AGF Aarhus) have been called into the squad as replacements for Ødegaard and Østigård.

Arsenal have cancelled a private jet that had been booked to take Ødegaard to and from his games against Israel on Sunday October 12 (NZT) and New Zealand.

Ødegaard, who has 69 caps for Norway, is the youngest player to ever play for the national team, making his debut when aged 15 years and 253 days. He has captained Norway since he was 21.

reg22

1997 vs norway, lost 0-3
Keith Pritchett's second to last game in charge, before being usurped by a far worse coach in Joe McGrath

https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nz-intres-det90.html#97

Norway 3-0 New Zealand (Bent Skammelsrud 60', Chris Zoricich 80' OG, Håvard Flo 84') Norway: Thomas Gill, Jonny Hanssen, Dan Eggen, Tore Pedersen, André Bergdølmo, Tore André Flo, Erik Mykland, Ståle Solbakken, Trond Egil Soltvedt (Roger Helland 66'), Stig Johansen (Bent Skammelsrud 46'), Håvard Flo. Coach: Egil Olsen. New Zealand: Jason Batty, Chris Zoricich, Andy Rennie, Rodger Gray, Neil Harlock, Mark Burton, Danny Hay (Graham Marshall 68'), Stu Jacobs, Simon Elliott (Nick Viljoen 83'), Vaughn Coveny, Darren McClennan (Mark Elrick 83'). Coach: Keith Pritchett.

Christian Gray's Dad Rodger

153 supporters coming in from mainly Europe, but also one from Abu Dhabi and a few with well timed trips to New Zealand. One was able to organise a little friends wedding in Europe at the same time to swing it for the main event.

Looking forward to making a scene and backing the boys all game.

Norway don't play Israel in their big World Cup qualifier until Sunday morning (5am NZT?), so makes it even more likely they heavily rotate their squad for the All Whites game on Wednesday morning.

https://www.soccerway.com/match/israel-rqK1ypob/norway-8rP6JO0H/?mid=4zE4kj3T

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360849910/fifa-president-infantino-calls-protesters-keep-calm-israels-soccer-games-amid-peace-talks