Dan James expects a Norway side stung by defeat in Cardiff to be sharper in Oslo on Saturday. A win would move Wales close to third place in Nations League Group A4 and a top seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying, but the winger insists the focus stays on their own performance. According to Bbc.com.
James expects Norway backlash as Wales chase Euro 2028 seeding in Oslo
Norway arrive at Ullevaal Stadion on Saturday (17:00 GMT) under real pressure. They are on their worst run of form in a decade and face the prospect of falling out of the European elite, with Norwegian media critical of the side that lost in Cardiff after also being beaten by Portugal either side of that game.
The home defeat by Portugal, in which Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench before walking out and later retiring from international football, was Norway’s first loss in 12 competitive matches at home. They have not lost four games in a row since 2016, and only goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth remain from that period.
James expects that backdrop to sharpen Norway’s edge. The Leeds United winger called them a very hard team to beat, particularly at home, and believes they will be even more motivated after the Cardiff result. Even so, he said Wales will not fixate on their opponents, insisting “we have full belief”.
The table adds weight to the trip. A win in Oslo would leave Wales well placed to secure at least third in the group, provided they then take a point against Portugal in Cardiff in their final fixture or results elsewhere fall their way. Wales would still likely need a play-off to keep their League A status.
Victory would nonetheless guarantee a pot one seeding for the Euro 2028 qualifiers, a tournament Wales will co-host. James said the squad carries that in the back of their minds but cannot pressure themselves, adding that “if we perform, we can do it”.
Cardiff offers a template. James scored as Wales came from behind to win 2-1 in October, the biggest scalp of Craig Bellamy’s reign, which ended a winless run of six. It followed defeats in Portugal and Denmark, after which Bellamy admitted he had been hurt by the display and James conceded the team had lost its identity a little.
James, 29, has won 68 caps since his debut eight years ago and is set to make his 69th appearance. He was part of the Wales squads at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, the nation’s last major finals. He said Bellamy constantly reiterates that competing against teams like Norway is essential to going far in tournaments.
