Norway's 1994 World Cup roster: How Erling Haaland, Kristian Thorstvedt, Alex Sorloth followed in dads' footsteps

Norway's best finish at the World Cup came in 1998, but it's the 1994 team that the 2026 team has a close connection with.

That connection is about as close as one can be, as three members of Norway's first World Cup squad in 28 years — including star Erling Haaland — had fathers on the 1994 roster. 

Just as Norway's 1994 team set the standard in the country's first World Cup appearance in more than half a century, the Haaland-led 2026 team is looking to be just the start of something for Norway.

Here's a look back at Norway's 1994 World Cup roster and the three fathers of players currently playing for Norway.

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Inside's Norway 1994 roster

Norway's 22-man roster at the World Cup featured three fathers of players currently on the country's World Cup roster: Alf-Inge "Alfie" Haaland, Erik Thorstvedt and Goran Sorloth.

Here's the full group:

Norway's World Cup ended in the group stage in 1994, but the margins were narrow. Each team in Norway's group finished with exactly four points, but Norway scored only one goal across three matches and finished last in the group on the goals for tiebreaker.

1994 marked Norway's first World Cup appearance since 1938. Norway would return to the World Cup in 1998 and reach the knockout stage, but 2026 is the first time since 1998 that the country is back on the biggest stage in the world. 

Here's a closer look at the father-son duos for Norway.

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Erling and Alfie Haaland

Alf-Inge "Alfie" Haaland, father of Norway and Manchester City star Erling Haaland, appeared in 34 international matches as a defender for Norway from 1994-2001. 

The elder Haaland played in the 1994 World Cup at only 21 years old, though he wasn't able to participate when Norway reached the knockout stage in 1998. His son, Erling, wasn't born until 2000.

Alfie spent time with Bryne, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City during the height of his club career. 

Alexander and Goran Sorloth

Alexander Sorloth's father, Goran, was also on the 1994 World Cup roster for Norway.

The 1994 World Cup came toward the end of Goran's international career, as he debuted for Norway in 1985 and had 15 goals across 55 appearances before his time with the team ended in 1994.

The World Cup appearance was a dream realized for Goran, who scored twice during World Cup qualifying to get Norway into the tournament for the first time in 56 years. When not playing internationally, Goran spent the height of his club career with Rosenborg in Norway.

Goran told CNN during the 2026 World Cup that he sees the father-son ties between the two teams as a "fairytale that is coming true" for each family.

"I know the trainers, I know everything about it because I’ve been there so many times myself," Goran said. "So, it’s a really good feeling for myself."

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Kristian and Erik Thorstvedt

Norway midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt's father, Erik, was a goalkeeper for the Norwegian national team from 1982-1996. His career timeline was more in line with that of Sorloth rather than Haaland, as Norway's return to the World Cup came 12 years after he debuted for the team.

Erik made 173 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur from 1988-96, winning the FA Cup in 1991 after starting his club career in Norway. 

Like Sorloth and Haaland, Thorstvedt wasn't on Norway's roster when the country reached the knockout stage in 1998. Their sons have reached the expanded knockout stage, and they are hoping for an even deeper run than just that.