Who is Orjen Nyland? Meet the Norwegian goalkeeper trying to stop Brazil
Brazil will face an experienced opponent under the goalposts this Sunday (5), in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. At 35 years old, Orjen Nyland is Norway's starting goalkeeper and arrives at the duel full of confidence to try to stop the Brazilian team from advancing.
Before the match, the archer demonstrated optimism when commenting on the Norwegian defensive system. In an interview, he stated that the team has the quality to mark "anyone", including the Brazilian attack, one of the most talented in the competition.
At 1.92 meters tall, Nyland is known for his good positioning, confident ball release and accumulated experience in different European football leagues.
Career spanned England, Germany and Spain
Revealed by Hødd, Nyland gained notoriety when he was one of the protagonists in winning the 2012 Norwegian Cup. His good performances paved the way for his transfer to Molde, where he continued to stand out before beginning his career abroad.
In England, he wore the shirts of Aston Villa, Norwich City, Bournemouth and Reading, accumulating experience mainly in the country's top two divisions.
He also had a quick spell at RB Leipzig, in Germany, before arriving at Sevilla in 2023. At the Spanish club, he gained space in the squad and started to play frequently in one of the main leagues in Europe.
Norway's absolute starter
Nyland has played for Norway's senior team since 2013 and has established himself as coach Ståle Solbakken's trusted man.
The goalkeeper participated in the campaign that took the Norwegians back to a World Cup after a 28-year absence. In the 2026 edition, he started three matches and conceded four goals. He was preserved in the 4-1 defeat to France, in the group stage, when the coaching staff chose to rest several starters as they were already classified.
Even without the same international recognition as Alisson, Nyland has had a consistent campaign and reached the round of 16 as one of the European team's references.
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Source: CNN