It is the 36th time the tournament is being held, known for bringing people from around the world together for a week of fun and sportsmanship, said the local newspaper Norway posten.

30,000 young boys and girls between 10 and 19 years came to Norway to fight for a place in the prestigious finals at Bislett stadium next Saturday, reported Norway posten.

Altogether 1386 teams from 50 nations participate in the Norway Cup, coming from as far away as Uruguay, China, Vietnam, Brazil, the United States, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Norway posten pointed out that most of the tournament's 4000 matches are played at Ekeberg, on a plateau overlooking the city in southeastern Norway, while others are played on smaller fields around Oslo. More than 60 stadiums are used this year.