As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase. You can read the articles in one place here.Alt for Norge – Everything for NorwayAt the heart of Norway lies a dichotomy.On the one hand, Norwegian culture demands adherence to the Law of Jante, or janteloven. Danish-Norwegian philosopher Aksel Sandemose introduced the concept in his 1933 novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks, in which people in the fictional town of Jante faced societal pressure to subscribe to a collective mindset which preached modesty and collectivism.It is a mindset with a pervading influence in Norway, where attracting attention, or failing to put the interests of the community, family or society over oneself, is frowned upon. The Scandinavian country consistently ranks at the top of the Human Development Index, with a successful tax-funded welfare system and high educational attainment. This, many Norwegians will argue, is a direct result of advocating for janteloven.“The other is the idea that it is typically Norwegian to be good at something,” says Torstein Hamran, a board member for Oljeberget Supporterklubb, the largest supporters’ club for Norway’s national football team. “It’s a line former prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland used in the 1990s, and it’s very famous here. We think quite highly of ourselves.”“Det er typisk norsk a vaere god” (which translates as ‘It’s typically Norwegian to be good’) is not without merit.Norway has a thriving economy and a surging global influence.Its athletes dominated the recent Winter Olympics in Italy, finishing with 18 gold medals and 41 overall, far ahead of the United States in second place (12 and 33), despite a population of just over 5.5 million — less than New York City alone. Their presence is also being felt in Hollywood, where Sentimental Value — a film set in Oslo and directed by Joachim Trier, who was raised in that city, Norway’s capital — received nine Academy Award nominations in March.Erling Haaland is Norway’s trump card at this World Cup (Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)And, of course, they have a football team who are fancied by many to have a successful World Cup in the weeks ahead, led by Erling Haaland — a player who perhaps represents this dichotomy better than anyone.“For a long time, he was perceived as really cocky, almost non-Norwegian,” says Halvor Viste Berg, an Oljeberget member. “But I think the perception has changed. Recently, he’s made his YouTube channel, which has helped to humanise him. There has been a lot of positivity about him and the Norwegian group here.”Halvor Viste Berg, right, with fellow fan Hakon Stensvand (David Gutmann/CAID Media)Ending a 28-year wait to qualify again after their last appearance at France ’98, the Manchester City striker put the nation on his back and fired them to this World Cup.