Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard have shown off the new Norway kits, leaving fans in awe.
The Norwegians have joined England in displaying their new-look uniforms ahead of Euro 2024 this summer; the only difference is that they will not be competing in the tournament.
International teams have unveiled their new uniforms ahead of this summer’s European Championship and Copa America.
The new Three Lions uniforms have been well received by fans, with a polo-style collar returning to the white home shirt in Nike’s newest stylish release.
Meanwhile, the away shirt has sparked a dispute that is sure to continue in the coming months about whether it is blue or purple.
However, neutral supporters have been blown away by Norway’s one-of-a-kind home and away uniforms, which were unveiled on Monday.
The home shirt includes vertical stripes in red, white, and blue, inspired by the nation’s flag and the iconic sword of Harald Hårfagre monument.
The away shirt is more modern and abstract, with a white jersey and blue flashes over the front and back, which are supposed to be inspired by the Northern Lights.
Both shirts also include a new Norway badge adorned with gold accents.
They elegant kits are among of the most attractive we’ve seen in international football in years, so it’s a shame they won’t be seen in a major event.
Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024 this summer, leaving the competition without two of Europe’s greatest players: Manchester City goalmachine Haaland and Arsenal captain Odegaard.
It also means Haaland will have to wait till his first major competition in international football.
It was a dismal qualification campaign that began at the worst possible time for Haaland, amid Manchester City’s treble run.
A 3-0 defeat to Spain was the worst conceivable start, followed by a depressing 1-1 draw with minnows Georgia and a 2-1 loss at home to Scotland in June last year.
Norway has a mountain to climb to secure automatic qualifying, with fans cheering on Haaland’s performance.
That game against the Scots came just a week after Man City completed the treble with a win in the Champions League final, and while the ultra-professional striker was not inebriated, it was clear in that game that he was feeling the effects of a 53-game season and three trophy haul at the Etihad Stadium.
They rebounded with three straight victories, with Haaland scoring five goals, but a 1-0 loss to Spain and other outcomes in the group meant a Euro 2024 appearance was out of reach.
Norway, this time without an injured Haaland, finished their campaign with a 3-3 draw against Scotland, which was enough for the Scots to advance to the finals, clinching automatic qualification for a major event for the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
So Monday’s kit unveiling was certainly bittersweet for Norwegian fans, who know they’ll only get to see this unquestionably exquisite shirt on the field during friendly matches.
However, neutral supporters appear to be enthusiastic, with one posting on X: “Out of nowhere, Norway come out with two absolute belters.”
“I have to get my hands on that new Norway outfit, it’s great,” added another, while a third fan commented, “That’s one of the cleanest kits I’ve seen. Wow.”
Even opponents appear to be interested in the new Norway design, with one Sweden supporter asking, “Are you telling me that I will need to buy a Norway kit AS A SWEDE?! It feels wrong, but it also feels like the only right thing to do.