World Cup fever grips Oslo as fans prepare for Norway's opening match

Oslo streets buzzed with excitement as Norway prepared for its first World Cup match in 26 years, facing Iraq at midnight. The nation's return to the global stage after their 1998 Round of 16 exit has ignited widespread enthusiasm.

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I am very ready for the match.

Fans like Øystein Storli, sporting a Kjetil Rekdal jersey, expressed readiness for the game. "I am very ready for the match," he told VG, having taken time off work to follow the team. He predicted a comfortable 2-0 victory for Norway.

Groups of friends, including Jonas Lervik and Knut Stian Eik, gathered to watch the match on a big screen in Slottsparken. While Eik predicted a 4-0 win, Lervik leaned towards a 3-0 score. Their optimism extended to the tournament's later stages, with Eik believing Norway could reach the semifinals, while Lervik saw a quarterfinal exit as more likely.

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Norway wins 4-0.

Ragnhild Øines Frøseth, also in Oslo, expressed a more cautious 4-1 win prediction, naming Patrick Berg as her favorite player due to his local roots. Arshia Khanzade, on his lunch break, anticipated a 2-1 victory and a semifinal run for the team. He vowed to shave his head if Norway wins the entire tournament.

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I think Norway wins 4-1.

Even tourists Joanna and Michael were aware of the World Cup, though they hadn't specifically planned to watch Norway's match. The national fervor highlights a nation united in its hope for a successful World Cup campaign, with many, like Frøseth, planning to watch despite work commitments the next day.

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I think Norway will reach the semifinals. They can win.