Norway hit by illness scare ahead of World Cup quarter-final against England in Miami

Norway are managing an illness outbreak within their squad in the days leading up to Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against England in Miami, coach Stale Solbakken confirmed on Tuesday.

Solbakken told reporters that multiple players had been feeling unwell, though he struck a cautiously optimistic tone about their recovery. “We’ve had a few players who haven’t been feeling well, but things are getting better,” he said. “It’s not ideal during a tournament, but we’re managing the situation.”

Norwegian outlet Dagbladet reported that Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen was among those affected. Larsen had already missed Norway’s opening group-stage game, a 4-1 win over Iraq, due to illness. Defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who sat out the last-16 victory over Brazil with sickness, has also been struggling with a cough and fatigue this week, according to Solbakken. The coach added that assistant Kent Bergersen had also been unwell in recent days.

Norway arrive at the quarter-final in strong form despite the disruption. They topped their group with wins over Iraq and Senegal before a rotated side lost 4-1 to France, then eliminated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the last 32 before stunning five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the last 16. Erling Haaland scored twice against Brazil, with Neymar’s late penalty amounting only to a consolation.

England, meanwhile, edged Mexico 3-2 in Mexico City, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice and Harry Kane converting a penalty. They will head into the quarter-final with their own absentees: right back Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card against Mexico and faces a one-game ban, while Jordan Henderson injured his wrist after falling over an advertising board during the post-match celebrations, though the veteran midfielder had not featured in the game itself.

England have explored the possibility of appealing Quansah’s suspension following a notable precedent set earlier in the tournament, when USA striker Folarin Balogun had his one-game ban suspended after US president Donald Trump contacted FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. The United States were nonetheless eliminated 4-1 by Belgium in the last 16.