This biography of a living person includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Sven Otto Birkeland (born 10 February 1948) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for the Norwegian national senior and junior teams.^[1]

Birkeland was born in Kristiansand. He played as a midfielder for Start from 1973–78, and won the league in 1978. He began his career at Vigør and played for Lyn from 1969 to 1973. He also played for Jerv and was the coach of Donn. Birkeland was the match winner against Bodø/Glimt when Start's first league title was secured on 15 October 1978.

He has five caps and one goal for the Norway national team, and made his debut against Sweden in 1967, becoming the first Sørlending to play for Norway.

Birkeland is the father of the former Start player Bernt Christian Birkeland.

Score and result list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Birkeland goal.

International goal scored by Sven Otto Birkeland

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway	3 September 1967	Sweden		3–1	UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying

• Sven Otto Birkeland at WorldFootball.net
• fotball.no
• Aftenposten arkiv
• Fædrelandsvennen – Fra Starts gullhelt til sauebonde
• Start i hundre – ISBN 9788290581393