Executive Board foreword

Football for All

Football is more than just a sport. It represents unique values we must protect to foster a sense of community and an inclusive society. It unites people across generations, backgrounds, cultures, and places, giving us belonging and meaning in a time of rapid change and growing polarisation.

With this strategic document, we look ahead while building on values that have always been fundamental to Norwegian football: unity, openness, community, and volunteerism. This is the strategic plan for all of Norwegian football for 2025–2030, serving as a guiding framework for the federation, districts, clubs, and subsidiaries.

We live in a world where technology, climate change, and social inequalities reshape everyday life. This demands curiosity, adaptability, and forward thinking. Norwegian football must be a unifying force for positive change—both on and off the pitch. We aim to create safe and inspiring spaces for children and young people, strengthen expertise and leadership in clubs, and support our coaches, volunteers, referees, and players in their vital roles. We will ensure clubs contribute to vibrant and inclusive local communities while our national teams engage and inspire the nation.

Football in Norway has never been bigger. With over 400,000 active participants and strong performances from top clubs on both the men's and women's sides, Norwegian football is making its mark internationally.

However, we are in a period of transition. We face a significant shift in replacing rubber granules in artificial turf pitches, and clubs are experiencing financial and volunteer challenges. Norway's unique spirit of volunteerism must be preserved and renewed.

The connection between grassroots and elite football is one of Norwegian football's greatest strengths—but also a challenge. We build our model on bridging these two areas so that everyone, regardless of level, feels part of something bigger. To succeed, we must foster collaboration and inclusion across all levels, provide substantial development opportunities, and welcome more people into the football community.

We build our football democracy on openness, dialogue, and member-owned clubs. The collaboration between grassroots and elite football ensures shared growth. However, we now face new challenges: low participation in decision-making, a harsher debate climate, and actions that can undermine football's core values and governance. In this strategic period, we must strengthen engagement, create arenas for constructive dialogue, and explore solutions to balance involvement with responsible leadership. This will help us develop our governance model while safeguarding a strong and sustainable football democracy.

Establishing a national training facility will be crucial for the future of Norwegian football. This facility will provide optimal conditions for our national teams, helping us achieve our goals of World Cup and European Championship qualification for both the men's and women's teams. It will also serve as a national knowledge hub that benefits all levels of football—from grassroots to elite. This will drive development, knowledge sharing, and improved quality across Norwegian football.

A key priority in this strategic period is the growth of women's and girls' football. The potential for expansion and development is immense, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone who wants to play, coach, referee, or lead. This investment will strengthen football as a whole.

At the same time, we must critically evaluate ourselves as an organisation. To reach our goals, we must work differently—building an efficient organisation with a strong workplace culture, attracting top talent, and valuing diversity as a strength. Innovation, adaptability, strong leadership, and cross-sector collaboration must define everything we do.

As part of this strategy, we are introducing the "Game changer" concept, which highlights the most important goals for Norwegian football in the coming years. These goals are essential to elevating football to the next level. The “Game changers” represent our ambition and commitment to achieving real progress.

This strategy is an open invitation to the entire football family. Together, we will ensure that Norwegian football remains an arena for joy, development, and community—where people and the game always come first. We have great responsibility and a unique opportunity to make Norwegian football a driving force for belonging, inclusion, and positive change—locally, nationally, and internationally. This is how we ensure that football is for everyone.

Our Vision

Our vision embraces everyone: FOOTBALL FOR ALL – joy, dreams, and community.

NFFs Purpose

«NFF is a voluntary, politically neutral, and independent membership organisation. The federation shall organise, promote, and govern football in Norway and represent Norwegian football internationally. The federation shall safeguard the common interests of its members and uphold the principles of Fair Play».

From NFF's purpose, we derive our mission: «We shall lead and develop football in Norway and represent Norwegian football internationally».

Our Values

SAFE

At the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), we are committed to looking after our members, volunteers, and employees. Football should be a safe and welcoming space for all. A safe football environment means zero tolerance for violence and harassment.

At NFF, we prioritise people. We lead with openness and warmth, creating a secure workplace with strong processes, well-informed decisions, and responsible leadership.

INCLUSIVE

Football is for everyone. We treat all individuals with respect and equality, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and at home in our activities. Our processes are open, but we also stand firm when final decisions must be made, even in challenging times.

NFF's working environment is defined by an inclusive and positive culture. Diversity is a strength, and we actively recruit top talent from a range of backgrounds and perspectives to build a stronger organisation.

COURAGEOUS

We aim high – on the pitch, in the clubs, in administration, and at every level of Norwegian football. We show courage as players, coaches, referees, and leaders. Courage means daring to set ambitious goals, speaking our minds, and learning from our mistakes. It is about championing the best ideas and standing together, even when decisions are tough.

Together, we create a football culture that places equality, inclusion, and development at its core.