Norway have reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, beating record five-time winners Brazil 2-0 in the round of 16 in New Jersey thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland. Their success, achieved on their return after a 28-year absence, has prompted questions about what Scotland can learn, given that Steve Clarke's side exited at the group stage following their own 28-year wait, with Clarke resigning in the aftermath. The comparison is pointed because the two nations have almost identical populations.

Norway's revival is credited to a deliberate reset after years of failing to qualify since Euro 2000, involving investment in coaching courses, artificial pitches and a National Team School (NTS) founded in 2013, from which Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard graduated. Between 2016 and 2025, 539 new artificial surfaces were built and 586 renovated, while 17 of Stale Solbakken's 26-man squad played in Europe's top four leagues last season and 25 of the 26 came through at home. By contrast, the Scottish FA announced in November it would close its performance schools, partly owing to a lack of emerging talent, and pundit Ian Wright argued "somebody is letting down Scotland on a massive scale". The article also highlights club side Bodo/Glimt, who rebuilt after 2016 relegation and now supply national-team players.