FIFA denies ball hit cable on Bellingham's controversial World Cup goal; Norway coach disagrees

A controversy has erupted over Jude Bellingham's opening goal for England in their 2-1 victory over Norway during the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. FIFA has officially stated that there is "no evidence" the ball touched an aerial camera cable, despite claims from the Norwegian camp.

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Before England's goal in the 45+2 minute against Norway, the Connected Ball sensor did not show any peak in the 'ball heartbeat' while it was in the air and therefore there is no evidence that the ball touched the aerial cable and changed its movement.

The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A clearance from Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to change direction sharply in the air before reaching Elliot Anderson, who initiated the play leading to Bellingham's equalizer. Norwegian players immediately protested to French referee Clement Turpin, who did not review the play and validated the goal.

FIFA's statement explained that the sensor within the Connected Ball technology, which has previously disallowed goals, showed no anomalies. "Before England's goal in the 45+2 minute against Norway, the Connected Ball sensor did not show any peak in the 'ball heartbeat' while it was in the air and therefore there is no evidence that the ball touched the aerial cable and changed its movement," the organization said.

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That was bad luck for us. The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed direction.

However, Norway's coach, Stale Solbakken, remained unconvinced. "That was bad luck for us," Solbakken stated in the post-match press conference. "The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed direction." He acknowledged that there was no formal recourse, but maintained his belief, saying, "The ball fell straight down from the sky right in front of the bench. So, yes, it touched it." Solbakken also accepted the referee's decision not to stop play, as Turpin did not see the incident or receive any alert from the system, but his conviction about the ball's trajectory persisted.

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The ball fell straight down from the sky right in front of the bench. So, yes, it touched it.