Kristoffer Ajer has been selected by Norway for the March international break, with the Brentford defender again included as his country continue their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Kristoffer Ajer has been called up by Norway for this month’s friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland, handing Brentford another international boost as Ståle Solbakken’s side begin the final stretch of their World Cup preparations.
Norway travel to face the Netherlands on March 27 before meeting Switzerland at Ullevaal on March 31, in what will be the first two of their warm-up matches ahead of June’s finals.
World Cup preparation steps up
This is not a routine call-up window for Norway. The squad is the first of the year and comes with the World Cup now firmly on the horizon after their qualification was secured in November. Norway ended a 28-year wait to reach the tournament when they beat Italy 4-1 at San Siro, and these friendlies are part of the build-up to a group-stage campaign that will include Senegal and France in June.
Solbakken described the Netherlands and Switzerland as “attractive opponents”, adding that Norway will be tested by two established tournament sides before the World Cup begins.
Ajer remains a trusted option
For Ajer, the latest selection is another sign of his standing in the national set-up. He was named in the squad announced on Wednesday and remains one of Solbakken’s senior defensive options, with 48 caps and two international goals. He also arrives in this camp with recent World Cup qualifying impact behind him, having played almost every minute in Norway's World Cup qualification fixtures.
Ajer has been part of the Norway group throughout the climb to this summer’s tournament, and his versatility across the back line gives Solbakken useful balance in a squad that is entering a different phase now qualification has already been achieved.
Brentford benefit from continued international recognition
From a Brentford perspective, the call-up is another reminder of Ajer’s importance at club and international level. The 27-year-old signed a new contract in January that runs to 2030, with an option for a further year, and that extension came after a period in which he had helped Norway reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Brentford will now hope he comes through the March fixtures in good shape before attention turns back to the closing weeks of the domestic season as the Bees chase European football.