Artificial turf & coaching revolution - how Norway shaped golden generation
Norway has transformed into a football powerhouse through long-term investment in youth training systems and infrastructure. The nation's success is attributed to the National Team School and a widespread increase in artificial pitch availability.
Why it matters
This highlights how strategic national investment and structural reform can elevate a country's standing in global sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, With their efforts at the World Cup, Norway look like a nation pulling in the same direction
Norway - a country with a population almost the same size as Scotland - have become a football powerhouse at the World Cup and it's not just down to Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker, who has seven goals under his belt at the tournament, is the poster boy for the side along with Martin Odegaard, who captains both Arsenal and the national team.
However, they are not the only successful products of the Norwegian youth system. Of their 26-man World Cup squad, 17 play in Europe's top four leagues - the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.
The majority were mentored in Norway's national youth football training system, the National Team School (NTS), which was established in 2013.
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