Norway have qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a perfect qualification record; winning all eight games, scoring 37 goals and only conceding 5 in the process.
The Scandinavian side returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and have done so in such style and ease that they’ve already been dubbed the new ‘Golden Generation’.
But is that a favourable mantle to have? Have golden generations delivered in the past?
Ivory Coast – World Cup 2010 and 2014
The 2010 World Cup shone a spotlight on African football and Ivory Coast looked best placed to take centre stage. Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou formed one of the strongest squads the continent had produced in years.
After a disappointing African Cup of Nations where they were knocked out in the quarter finals, Ivory Coast were unable to get out of a strong World Cup group that included Portugal and Brazil.
By 2014, Drogba was 36 but the rest of the core was still in its prime. The story stayed the same. They fell short again with a third place finish and missed out on the knockouts.
They did win the 2012 African Cup of Nations, which keeps that group fondly remembered, but on the World Cup stage the golden generation never took off.
Uruguay – World Cup 2010 and 2014
Uruguay’s 2010 squad had everything. Luis Suárez and Diego Forlán were electric up front and the defence was experienced and organised. Their run to the semi finals is remembered mostly for Suárez’s handball and Asamoah Gyan’s subsequent missed penalty. Uruguay eventually fell to the Netherlands.
In 2014 they escaped the group of death at the expense of Italy and a struggling England side, but were beaten in the Round of 16 by Colombia after a James Rodríguez masterclass.
This was a golden generation that almost delivered first time around.
Colombia – World Cup 2014
The flash-in-a-pan golden generation.
Colombia qualified as CONMEBOL runners up and entered the tournament ranked fourth in the world. A major blow struck in January when Radamel Falcao suffered a serious knee injury, ruling him out and leading many to write their chances off.
In his absence James Rodríguez took control. He won the Golden Boot, scored a Puskás Award winner and made the All-Star Team. Colombia topped their group with three wins, beat Uruguay in the Round of 16, but lost 2-1 to hosts Brazil in the quarter finals.
A poor 2015 Copa América followed and the golden generation faded without silverware, but with plenty of memorable moments.
Belgium – World Cup 2018
Belgium’s golden generation once held the world number one ranking and were seen as the most talented squad in international football. Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Kompany, Courtois, Vertonghen and Alderweireld were all in their prime.
They breezed through the group and early knockout rounds and the win against Brazil in the quarter finals felt like a statement. But the semi final against France was their ceiling. They dealt with Mbappé, but had no answer to Samuel Umtiti’s header in the 1-0 defeat.
That semi final finish is the furthest the Belgian golden generatino ever reached. A team full of star names, but no major trophy and no defining moment to match the hype.
Croatia – World Cup 2018
Croatia are probably the most successful golden generation of recent years.
Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mario Mandžukić and Ivan Perišić formed a balanced, technical and experienced side. They didn’t win the World Cup, but reaching the final is a remarkable achievement for a country of their size.
Croatia played with control and patience and often rose to big moments. They’re the exception that proves the rule. A golden generation that delivered because it had a clear identity and players who could handle pressure.
Norway – World Cup 2026
Norway will hope to follow Croatia’s example. With the best goalscorer in the world leading the line, expectations are rising, but few see them as favourites. If they take their qualification form into the tournament, Norway could go far, but the test is whether this emerging golden generation can step up on the biggest stage.
