Norway goalkeeper confirms sickness bug in squad days before England World Cup quarter-final

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has confirmed that a sickness bug has been circulating within the squad ahead of their World Cup 2026 quarter-final against England at Miami Stadium on Saturday, with the illness understood to have first emerged during the group stage.

Nyland made the admission during a television interview with presenter James Corden, days after Erling Haaland’s match-winning double helped Norway stun Brazil 2-1 in the last 16. “I can confirm that it’s true,” said the Sevilla shot-stopper. “We have had our problems. We’re doing the best that we can and the team doctor is very busy at the moment.”

The goalkeeper’s candour contrasts with the more measured tone struck by team doctor Ola Sand, who has sought to downplay the reports. Nyland suggested the difficulties may be ongoing, though he expressed hope that Norway would be at full strength by the time they face the Three Lions. “Hopefully everything goes well and we face England with a fully rested squad on Saturday,” he said.

The scale of the problem within the camp became clearer earlier in the tournament when Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen revealed he had been “lying in a hospital bed for two days straight” before Norway’s group-stage win over Iraq. Members of the coaching staff, including manager Stale Solbakken, have also reportedly suffered from coughs and throat complaints in recent weeks.

Despite the disruption, Norway have shown few signs of fragility on the pitch. Haaland was in commanding form against Brazil, netting twice to seal a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament. Nyland himself produced a strong performance between the posts, further underlining that the illness, whatever its impact off the field, has not yet derailed their World Cup campaign.

England will be wary of a Norway side that has already beaten one of the pre-tournament favourites, regardless of what is happening in their medical room.