Norway did bring 580kg of salmon and cheese to the World Cup, but not because they distrust US food

Norway’s men’s national team did ship hundreds of kilograms of food from home to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, but the reason has nothing to do with doubts about American food quality — contrary to a wave of false claims spreading on social media.

Head chef Aron Espeland confirmed the team brought approximately 580 kilograms of Norwegian produce to their base in Greensboro, North Carolina: 300kg of salmon and trout, 100kg of halibut, 80kg of Norwegian brown cheese, and 100kg of Jarlsberg cheese. That figure is also notably lower than the 1,000kg figure being cited in many viral posts.

“When athletes are competing at the highest level, consistency is important,” Espeland said. “The players are used to certain products and flavors, and familiar foods can contribute both to nutrition and overall well-being during a demanding competition.”

Far from avoiding local produce, Espeland said the team has actively sourced ingredients in the US. “Overall, the experience of cooking for the team in the U.S. has been excellent. We have had access to high-quality local ingredients, and our approach has been to combine those with a selection of Norwegian products that help create continuity and a sense of home for the players during the tournament.”

The team’s support staff includes three chefs. One specific claim — that Norway brought oranges from Norway — was also dismissed by Espeland, who said players receive freshly squeezed juice every morning made from locally sourced American oranges.

Nutrition experts note that travelling with familiar foods is standard practice at the elite level. Norway are far from the first team to do so: Argentina and Uruguay each brought thousands of pounds of meat to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the United States squad arrived in Brazil in 2014 with oatmeal, Cheerios, peanut butter, and A1 Steak Sauce.

The attention on Norway’s diet comes as the team enjoys a strong return to the World Cup stage — their first appearance at the tournament since 1998.