Renedy Singh Praises Norway's Historic FIFA World Cup Journey
Norway's Remarkable World Cup Performance
Erling Haaland and his teammates
Guwahati, July 11: Renedy Singh, the former captain of India and a talented midfielder, expressed that he is not at all surprised by Norway's impressive performance in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, having previously played in Norway during 2011-12.
Norway is gearing up to compete against England in the quarterfinals on July 12, following their remarkable victory over Brazil to secure their place in the last eight.
"I’m not surprised by Norway’s performance in this World Cup. While some may attribute their success solely to stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, the contributions of other players highlight the strength of their overall system," Renedy stated in an interview.
Having aimed to join Tromso IL, a premier club in Norway, Renedy emphasized that the nation’s sporting culture and their fearless attitude have played a crucial role in their ascent in international football.
"The backing from their nation, the sporting culture they have nurtured, and their inherent fearlessness are key factors. This fearlessness is instilled in them from a young age," he remarked, noting his current role as a coach for Bengaluru FC.
Norway has made history by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time, finishing as runners-up in Group I, defeating Cote d'Ivoire in the round of 32, and pulling off a stunning 2-1 upset against Brazil in the round of 16.
Haaland has netted seven goals thus far, tying with France's Kylian Mbappe for second place in the scoring rankings. Singh highlighted that Haaland's fearless mentality is evident in his approach to the game.
"Before one of their knockout matches, Haaland mentioned, 'If we lose, we lose, we’ll move on.' Naturally, once on the field, you give your all, but after the match, regardless of the outcome, you accept it and move forward," Renedy explained, illustrating Haaland's relaxed mindset under pressure.
Norway had previously participated in the World Cups of 1994 and 1998, achieving limited success with just one win in each tournament, followed by a prolonged period of underperformance in European football.
"Norway has been preparing for this moment for a long time. Their lifestyle, the environment they foster, and the culture they have established contribute significantly. They seem to handle pressure exceptionally well. The government has created a system that alleviates many basic concerns for its citizens," Renedy added.
Describing how Norway cultivated its sporting culture, he noted, "In Norway, as well as in the Netherlands, there are playgrounds and small football fields located every 500 meters or so, integrating sports into daily life. Despite the harsh winters, the government and football association have heavily invested in artificial turf, ensuring access throughout the year.
In contrast to India, where gaining access to sports facilities often requires numerous permissions, anyone can utilize these amenities. They have dedicated the last 30 to 40 years to building a robust sporting culture, and now the results are evident."