Norway has participated in the qualification for 18 FIFA World Cup tournaments and have appeared in the main tournament four times, in 1938, 1994, 1998, and 2026. Their best result was Round of 16 in 1998. They have the peculiar distinction of not losing any matches unless it was to Italy during the finals phase (losing to Italy in 1938 during round 1 in a straight knockout tie, being eliminated in the 1994 group stage from having the fewest number of goals scored after defeating Mexico, losing to Italy and drawing 0âÂÂ0 with the Republic of Ireland which resulted in all four teams having 4 points and a 0-goal difference, and in 1998 drew with Scotland and Morocco before coming from behind to defeat Brazil 2âÂÂ1 to advance to the round of 16 where they were defeated by Italy).