Norway and England will meet Saturday in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a matchup headlined by the duel between prolific strikers Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
This marks the first World Cup encounter between the two nations, though their histories include a notable upset. In a 1981 World Cup qualifier, Norway defeated England 2-1, a result described by the BBC as a "seismic shock" and a "national embarrassment for England." The commentary from that match, particularly from radio announcer Bjørge Lillelien, became legendary, famously including the line, "Maggie Thatcher. Can you hear me? We have a message for you. We have knocked your boys out of the World Cup."
Norway's Haaland Challenge
Norway, appearing in its first major tournament since 2000, has exceeded expectations as a dark-horse contender, largely due to the exceptional form of Erling Haaland. The Manchester City forward has scored seven goals in four games during the current World Cup. His impact was crucial in the round of 16 victory against Brazil, where he scored the go-ahead goal and sealed the 2-1 win with a late strike.
Norway's offensive strategy typically involves its midfielders, including Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, and Patrick Berg, controlling possession and feeding the ball to wingers. Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup have been key on the wings, with Schjelderup providing two assists after coming on as a substitute against Brazil. The primary objective is to get the ball to Haaland in central positions, where he is effective with headers and runs into the box.
Coach Ståle Solbakken faces decisions regarding his starting lineup, particularly whether Schjelderup should start after his impactful performance. Concerns also linger about right back Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who missed the Brazil match due to fatigue. A minor illness has affected the team this week but is reportedly under control. Norway's defense, which has yet to record a clean sheet in the tournament, will face its most significant test against Kane.
England's Strengths and Strains
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, is dealing with defensive issues. Jarell Quansah is suspended following a red card, and Marc Guéhi is recovering from a hamstring injury. Guéhi's potential absence is significant, as his club familiarity with Haaland could have been an advantage.
England's taxing 3-2 victory against Mexico, where they played much of the second half with 10 men, may also contribute to fatigue, especially with temperatures expected to be in the 80s with high humidity in South Florida.
Despite these challenges, England boasts considerable strengths. Jude Bellingham delivered his best performance of the tournament in the win over Mexico, and a repeat of that form could be difficult for Norway to counter. Declan Rice is expected to anchor the midfield and contest possession against his Arsenal teammate Ødegaard.
Harry Kane has scored six goals in the tournament and is a dual threat, capable of scoring and dropping into midfield to create opportunities for wingers and advancing midfielders. England, with its depth, is considered the favorite, but Norway's reliance on Haaland's individual brilliance makes it a dangerous opponent.