Norway’s playful, inclusive path to sporting power

Norway credits its global sports strength to a policy of broad, joyful participation and affordable access from childhood, avoiding early specialization to nurture talent while maintaining competitiveness; the approach is tied to strong public investment and political consensus that sports should be accessible to every child. The country also backs sanctions on Russia in sport and supports Israel’s suspension from FIFA through federations, reflecting its use of institutional influence. Separately, FIFA is anchoring its Americas strategy with a permanent Miami office to manage upcoming events, including the 2030 men’s World Cup, the 2031 women’s World Cup, and the LA28 Olympics, highlighting sport’s evolving geopolitics and commercial footprint.