Estonia will wrap up their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign tonight in Oslo, where they take on Norway at Ullevaal Stadium. Kick-off is set for 19:00.
In Group I, Estonia have collected four points from seven matches – all earned against Moldova. The Estonians claimed an away victory in March and later held Moldova to a draw in their most recent qualifier. Against other opponents, Jürgen Henn’s side has endured a tough run, suffering defeats to Israel and Italy, as well as a narrow 0-1 loss at home to Norway last summer, when Erling Haaland’s strike in the 62nd minute proved decisive.
Norway, meanwhile, are on the verge of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998. The Norwegians are battling to secure their place ahead of Italy, who will need a big win in their final games to overtake Norway on goal difference. However, the hosts will be without captain and playmaker Martin Ødegaard, as the Arsenal midfielder remains sidelined through injury.
For Estonia, the injury situation is even more severe. Defender Joonas Tamm was unavailable for selection, and shortly after the squad announcement, it was confirmed that key players Mattias Käit, Maksim Paskotši, and Tanel Tammik would also miss the match through injury. “It’s definitely a blow,” admitted head coach Henn, “but I believe we have enough quality to replace them.”
In their place, Henn has called up Markus Poom – fresh off winning the Estonian league title – and debutant Kristofer Käit, who plays his club football in Portugal.
When the two nations met in Tallinn in June, Norway escaped with a 1-0 victory. That performance still serves as a benchmark for Estonia, though Henn acknowledges the challenge has changed: “It’s clear we’re facing a very difficult game. We’re up against a highly motivated team, which makes this a big and exciting challenge,” he said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
After tonight’s match, Estonia will travel to Cyprus, where they will conclude their international year with a friendly against the Cypriot national team in Limassol on November 18.
Estonia National Team Squad for November Matches:
Goalkeepers
Karl Jakob Hein (13.04.2002) – SV Werder Bremen (Germany) – 43 caps / 0 goals
Karl Andre Vallner (28.02.1998) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 4 / 0
Henri Perk (14.10.1999) – Nõmme Kalju FC – 0 / 0
Defenders
Karol Mets (16.05.1993) – FC St. Pauli (Germany) – 102 / 0
Vlasi Sinjavski (27.11.1996) – Bohemians 1905 (Czech Republic) – 46 / 1
Märten Kuusk (05.04.1996) – GKS Katowice (Poland) – 40 / 0
Rasmus Peetson (03.05.1995) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 23 / 2
Michael Schjønning-Larsen (02.02.2001) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 16 / 0
Joseph Saliste (10.04.1995) – Paide Linnameeskond – 10 / 0
Erko Jonne Tõugjas (05.07.2003) – Tallinna FC Flora – 4 / 0
Kristofer Käit (04.04.2005) – Portimonense SC (Portugal) – 0 / 0
Midfielders
Martin Miller (25.09.1997) – Paide Linnameeskond – 39 / 2
Markus Poom (27.02.1999) – Tallinna FC Flora – 31 / 0
Rocco Robert Shein (14.07.2003) – Fredrikstad FK (Norway) – 22 / 1
Markus Soomets (02.03.2000) – IK Start (Norway) – 20 / 0
Kevor Palumets (21.11.2002) – Železiarne Podbrezová (Slovakia) – 15 / 1
Martin Vetkal (21.02.2004) – FC Dordrecht (Netherlands) – 13 / 1
Patrik Kristal (12.11.2007) – FC Köln (Germany) – 8 / 0
Forwards
Henri Anier (17.12.1990) – Paide Linnameeskond – 104 / 23
Rauno Sappinen (23.01.1996) – Tallinna FC Flora – 61 / 14
Alex Matthias Tamm (24.07.2001) – Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) – 18 / 2
Robi Saarma (20.05.2001) – FK Pardubice (Czech Republic) – 12 / 0
Ioan Yakovlev (19.01.1998) – Panionios (Greece) – 11 / 1
Karel Mustmaa (08.08.2005) – PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece) – 2 / 0
Marten-Chris Paalberg (08.10.2008) – Pärnu JK Vaprus – 1 / 0
World Cup 2026 qualifying Group I
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | PTS |
| 1 | Norway | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | Italy | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| 3 | Israel | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Estonia | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 5 | Moldova | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
