Norway coach: 'The whole of Norway is eagerly awaiting' England match

Norway's coach, Stale Solbakken, is anticipating their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash against England with palpable excitement, emphasizing the national fervor surrounding the match.

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The whole of Norway is eagerly awaiting tomorrow.

"The whole of Norway is eagerly awaiting tomorrow," Solbakken stated at a press conference in Miami. He noted the enthusiastic support from Norwegian fans across all host cities, which has created significant excitement back home. Solbakken views this World Cup as a potentially unique opportunity for Norway, a nation that has not qualified for a major tournament in 26 years. "Perhaps this success will never come to Norway again," he remarked, underscoring the heightened emotions and the significance of the moment for the country.

Addressing the highly anticipated matchup, Solbakken downplayed the idea of a direct goal duel between England's Harry Kane and Norway's Erling Haaland. "I think this match is between Norway and England," he asserted, while acknowledging that both Kane and Haaland are crucial match-winners for their respective teams. Solbakken also commented on the challenging hot and humid weather conditions, noting that they would affect all teams. "If this is an effect, I can say that the situation is the same for both teams," he added, suggesting a level playing field despite the climate.

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Perhaps this success will never come to Norway again, because even though we have the opportunity to go to a World Cup or European Championship every time, it had been 26 years since our last participation.

Solbakken also defended the performance of Alexander Sörloth, who has faced some criticism. He praised Sörloth for his contributions, particularly in easing the burden on Haaland by engaging in physical duels and holding up play. "Sörloth did a very good job for the team, especially in moments when we had to play long," Solbakken explained. While acknowledging some inconsistency with the ball in certain matches, he highlighted Sörloth's strong physical presence and his willingness to disrupt opponents, creating space for other players. Solbakken believes Sörloth has been valuable to the team's overall strategy.

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I think this match is between Norway and England.

When asked about Norway's ability to produce such a talented generation of players with a population of just 5 million, Solbakken suggested it's a mix of factors. He pointed out the wide age range within the current squad, from players in their early 30s to those in their late teens, alongside a core group in their prime like Haaland, Odegaard, and Berge. "I'm not sure if this can be called a single 'generation', but there is great success," he said, crediting the hard work of clubs and the federation, and the general love for sports in Norway.

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If this is an effect, I can say that the situation is the same for both teams.