Wales Norway: What to know before Nations League kickoff
Wales Norway meet in UEFA Nations League A at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, 1 October 2026, with kick-off at 19:45 BST. Craig Bellamy's side sit bottom of Group 4 with zero points after losses to Portugal and Denmark, while World Cup quarter-finalists Norway sit second on three points with Erling Haaland leading the line.
Key Takeaways
- Kick-off is 19:45 BST at Cardiff City Stadium in League A Group 4.
- Wales have zero points from two games; Norway have three and sit second.
- Bellamy makes five changes as Wales chase a first win in seven internationals.
- Haaland starts for Norway; Martin Ødegaard captains after a fitness doubt.
- Wales won the last two friendlies against Norway in 2008 and 2011.
Wales return home desperate for points after away defeats by Portugal and Denmark left them bottom of the group without a goal scored. Norway, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals, are aiming to bounce back from a loss to Portugal with Haaland leading the line.
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Why does Wales Norway matter in Nations League A?
Group 4 already tilts Portugal's way after two wins. Wales have taken nothing from their opening fixtures and need a result to ease early relegation pressure in League A after promotion.
Bellamy told media Wales looked "unrecognisable" in Copenhagen and must improve. He praised Norway's surge, noting Bodø/Glimt and Viking in the Champions League as proof of the country's rise, according to The Guardian.
Who starts for Wales and Norway tonight?
Per BBC Sport team news, Wales recall Ben Cabango, Jay Dasilva, Jordan James, Liam Cullen and Lewis Koumas. Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Charlie Savage, Brennan Johnson and Kieffer Moore drop out. David Brooks is among several absentees through injury.
Wales XI: Ward; Williams, Cabango, Davies (capt), Dasilva; J James, Ampadu; Thomas, Cullen, D James; Koumas.
Norway start with Ødegaard as captain alongside Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes, with Haaland flanked by Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup. Coach Ståle Solbakken said Haaland has scored three goals in his past two matches and is "on fire," playing down distraction from Manchester City's financial-rules verdict.
How have Wales and Norway fared head-to-head?
Recent meetings favour Wales in friendlies: a 4-1 win in November 2011 and 3-0 in February 2008. Norway last beat Wales 3-2 in a World Cup qualifier on 5 September 2001, per BBC previous scores.
Bellamy compared Haaland's impact to rugby's "Jonah Lomu factor," calling the striker a "machine" unlikely to be distracted in Cardiff. Kristoffer Ajer said Haaland has been "exactly the same" in camp despite the club noise.