Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard have been showing off the new Norway kits – with fans left in awe.
The Norwegians have joined England in unveiling their new-look shirts ahead of Euro 2024 this summer – the only difference is they won’t actually be playing at the tournament.
Haaland proudly shows off Norway’s stunning new kit – but he’ll only be wearing it in friendliesCredit: Norwegian Football Association (NFF)
International teams have been revealing their new threads ahead of this summer’s European Championship and Copa America.
The new Three Lions kits have gone down very well with supporters, with a polo-style collar returning to the white home jersey in Nike’s latest classy offering.
Meanwhile, the away kit has triggered a debate which is likely to keep rumbling over the new few months over whether it’s blue or purple (it’s definitely purple).
But neutral fans have been left in awe of Norway’s unique home and away kits which were revealed on Monday.
The bold home shirt features vertical stripes in various shades of red, white and blue – inspired by the nation’s distinguishable flag and the famous sword of Harald Hårfagre monument.
The away shirt is a more modern and abstract affair, with a white jersey and flashes of blue across the front and back – said to be inspired by the northern lights.
Both shirts also feature a redesigned Norway badge, which is crowned with gold motifs.
They stylish kits are some of the best-looking we’ve seen in international football for years, and so it’s a bit of a shame they won’t get seen in a major tournament.
Norway’s classy away kit in inspired by the northern lightsCredit: Norwegian Football Association (NFF)
Odegaard is another of Europe’s top players who won’t be at Euro 2024 this summerCredit: Norwegian Football Association (NFF)
Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024 this summer, meaning the competition will be without two of Europe’s best players in Manchester City goalmachine Haaland and Arsenal captain Odegaard.
It also means Haaland will have to wait for his first ever major tournament in international football.
It was a disastrous qualifying campaign, which began at just the wrong time for Haaland amid Man City’s treble run.
A 3-0 defeat to Spain was the worse possible start, and that was followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw with minnows Georgia and then a 2-1 defeat at home to Scotland in June last year.
It Norway a mountain to climb to seal automatic qualification, with fans turning on Haaland for his performance.
That game against the Scots came just a week after Man City wrapped up the treble with victory in the Champions League final and, while the ultra-professional striker wasn’t suffering from a hangover, it was clear in that game he was suffering the effects of a 53-game season and three-trophy haul at the Etihad Stadium.
They bounced back with three straight wins, with Haaland scoring five goals, but a following 1-0 defeat to Spain and results elsewhere in the group meant a Euro 2024 was then out of reach .
Norway disappointed in their Euro 2024 qualification campaign as they failed to make it to the tournamentCredit: Getty
Norway, this time without an injured Haaland, ended their campaign with a 3-3 draw with Scotland, which was enough for the Scots to book their place in the finals – securing automatic qualification for a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
And so Monday’s kit unveiling was probably a bitter one for Norwegian fans, who know the only time they’ll get to see this undoubtedly sublime kit on the field is in friendly matches.
Neutral supporters certainly seem to be big fans, though, with one writing on X: “Out of nowhere, Norway come out with two absolute belters.”
“I have to get my hands on that new Norway kit, it’s magnificent,” wrote another, while a third fan said: “That’s one of the cleanest kits I’ve seen. Wow.”
And it seems even rivals are keen on the new Norway design, with a Sweden fan saying: “Are you telling me that I will need to buy a Norway kit AS A SWEDE?! It feels very wrong but at the same time it feels like the only right thing to do.”