Norway's drastic change before England World Cup clash after sickness bugs and hotel chaos
Norway’s preparations for their 2026 World Cup quarter-final against England at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday have again been disrupted
Norway have moved out of their Miami hotel due to various disruptions ahead of their World Cup clash against England. Not only have a number of players been suffering from illness but the squad were also frustrated by noise and basic logistical issues at The Dalmar (five-star) in Fort Lauderdale.
A large construction project next to the building backs onto a busy road and it's understood that this was affecting the squad during downtime. Captain Martin Odegaard said after volunteers helped complete the switch in two-and-a-half hours: "There were some things that could have been better and we fixed them. Just to optimise and prepare ourselves as best as possible for an important match."
Truls Daehli, the Norway team’s logistics manager, also said: “It is brutal having to move but we are satisfied with the new place and everyone is happy now. Some people might fear that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone else.
“We have strong people in our support team and managed to move in two-and-a-half hours. The process of changing hotel is not ideal but we wanted to take action as soon as possible. Having a good atmosphere is most important.
“We are going to stay for a week in Miami and we have now been for six weeks in the United States and we are going to play in the biggest match in Norwegian history. We have avoided cabin fever so far and don’t want any risk of it now. Fifa have accepted that we must move to another hotel.”
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Norway boss Stale Solbakken defended his team's decision to leave The Dalmar, while downplaying reports of illness rife in the camp. He said: "There were a few things that weren't right there. FIFA agreed with that and was very willing to help us.
"You would like to have a gathering and meeting room. In total, there were too many little things. It's not that you can't live there, but we should be a team, be together and a unit.”
On the illness, Solbakken admitted there was only one figure suffering and that was team manual therapist Thomas Odegaard. He said: "That [story] is greatly exaggerated. We have enough physiotherapists to handle it.
"I haven't read much about it. Marcus [Holmgren Pedersen] was a little shaky before the last game, but is ready to train today."
While Norway’s doctor Ola Sand had earlier insisted the team were 'healthy', telling Nettavisen: “All players are healthy now. Very little fuss considering that we have been close together for almost six weeks. So great that [English media] believe this. We are in control.”
Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 to book their place in the last eight, with Haaland bagging a fantastic brace. And the forward said after the game: "That’s just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal. I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I do it, so it’s all about staying focused. I tell myself the chance will come, and then I usually know right away if I don’t score.
"We just kept pushing forward, but I hope that all the young people watching this interview – I hope that when you get a little older, you’ll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you’ll ever do in your entire life. It’s absolutely insane."
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