The concept for the striking image began during an international break in 2023, when Yarrow captured Haaland solo in Viking attire, standing waist-deep in an Oslo fjord.

Creating the desired mood came naturally to the photographer.

"If you had to pick one athlete anywhere who needs little styling to resemble a Viking, it is Erling Haaland," Yarrow said.

"And so it was straightforward to work with him."

Yarrow has often drawn from the past for his projects.

Ahead of Team Europe's match at Bethpage Black in September, he pictured the defending Ryder Cup holders before the Manhattan Bridge in prohibition-era attire and headwear.

The monochrome image, displayed at the squad's base, sparked discussion among the players as they defeated the United States to keep the trophy.

Proceeds from the image have generated over a million dollars for Irish causes.

Yarrow intends for the Norway team photograph, positioned beside a table tennis setup at the squad's Greensboro camp in North Carolina, to achieve a similar effect.

Four months earlier, the Norway football association reached out with an idea.

After building trust with Yarrow through the individual session, Haaland - "the unofficial voice of the team" - wanted to bring the photographer into their World Cup buildup.

It was "an honour" for Yarrow to take on the assignment, which supports Norwegian charities.

Bringing his idea to life proved more complex.

Yarrow needed to work around the busy calendar of Norway captain and Premier League winner Martin Odegaard - who was in Budapest with Arsenal for the Champions League final on the day of the group shoot.

Once the celebrations ended in north London, Odegaard met Yarrow for an individual session, and the overcast weather aligned with the first shoot - allowing his image to be blended in with minimal effort.

Yet Yarrow stressed that Odegaard and his title rival Haaland should not dominate the frame.

"The key point for that picture is that in the Norwegian squad, if you have a player valued at £200m and then Watford's goalkeeper [Egil Selvik] valued at £250,000, the third-choice keeper - they both take up the same space," Yarrow told BBC Sport.

"That matters greatly to me.

"It should not appear as Haaland and Odegaard plus 24 others - it was vital to build a feeling of unity."

Yarrow attended as Norway's guest when the side defeated Sweden 3-1 in a warm-up friendly on Monday, with strikes from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Antonio Nusa.

He noted the wide range of ability across the Norway squad.

"People assume it is a squad of two stars and it really is not," said Yarrow, who was born in Glasgow.

"It is a genuinely strong football side, from the wingers to the defenders, and I believe they will progress well in the competition.

"But, like Scotland - they must secure their opening match."