by Gaute Bugge Drangsholt
Many Norwegians will soon have their eyes fixed on the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Norwegian men’s football team are taking part in the tournament for the first time in 26 years.
National team manager Ståle Solbakken and his support staff will face their biggest test yet in the coming weeks. One of the key factors in determining whether the tournament is a success will be difficult to discern through the TV screen.
A new study led by Professor Rune Høigaard at the University of Agder highlights how important team spirit is within the national team. The researchers call it cohesion. The word encompasses both emotion and function. From friendship and well-being to roles and cooperation towards a common goal.
The study is based on interviews with seven former Norwegian national team players in football and handball. The players highlight several key elements that create and characterise a strong sense of community. Three of these are:
- Structure
- Belonging
- Security
"The study confirms much of what we already know about the importance of team spirit, but it has been fascinating to explore the national team perspective and its unique characteristics in more detail. The players highlight some interesting nuances", says Høigaard
Let’s take a closer look at the individual categories:
Structure
Good structure means a team where players and support staff know their roles and understand what is expected of each individual – both on and off the pitch.
It is also characterised by rules that ensure a predictable approach to days that often involve a great deal of pressure. These may include rules regarding meetings, meals, sponsorship commitments or media relations.
Belonging
Strong relationships can be developed in a short space of time. In team sports, months may pass between each time the players are gathered for the national team, as their day-to-day lives are spent at their clubs. The hallmark of a good team spirit is that the group nevertheless manages to create a sense of community.
“I felt like part of the gang from the very first second, even though I was the youngest and a blank slate. An inclusive environment is very important for everyone to feel part of the team, for us to become a unit,” one of the sources in the study is quoted as saying.
In such environments, lasting friendships form quickly. Humour, internal jargon and a strong shared identity reinforce the sense of ‘us’.
Psychological safety
The points above also contribute to the vital sense of safety and trust that allows each player to dare to be themselves and not be afraid of making mistakes.
If you are to perform in situations that bring with them enormous expectations, trust helps. You need to know that you won’t be singled out as a scapegoat after a defeat. Everyone does their best for the team.
The flag on the chest
One final factor, which the men’s football team will likely feel particularly keenly this summer, is labelled ‘prestige’. The status and pride that come with being part of a championship for Norway are something special.
“When you make the national team, you automatically gain greater standing and status at your club and in the local community. It builds status and reputation,” says one of the sources in the study.
Taking part in an event that means so much to so many people has a unifying power.
"This aspect of prestige in particular is one of the details several of the players highlighted as being specific to the national team. That pride is something attractive that will strengthen the sense of togetherness", explains Høigaard.
Part of the whole
The study is the first in a series of several cohesion projects that will, among other things, focus on national team coaches and national teams where the sport is primarily individual.
The results of the study have also been included in the new book ‘Elite Sport in Scandinavia’. As one of 19 chapters, Høigaard helps to shed light on different perspectives on what constitutes a well-functioning elite sport environment in Scandinavia. The book is freely available to everyone.
"In Scandinavia, we have a strong – I would say unique – culture of sharing. There is a long tradition of good cooperation between the research community and the field of practice. When we gain access to an elite sport that we know maintains such a high international standard, I hope that we as researchers can contribute by giving something back", says Høigaard.
References:
Høigaard, R., Eriksson, B., Hedegart, V. B., Sæther, S. A. & Haugen, T. (2026). Kohesjon i landslag – fra et spillerperspektiv. I S. A. Sæther & R. Høigaard (Red.), Toppidrett i Skandinavia: En samfunnsvitenskapelig forskningsantologi om utviklings- og prestasjonsmiljø (Kap. 12, s. 271–289).
Cappelen Damm Akademisk. https://doi.org/10.23865/cdf.282.ch12