Norway switch Miami hotels overnight as World Cup chaos threatens England quarter-final prep

Norway’s preparations for their World Cup 2026 quarter-final against England were thrown into further disarray after the squad abandoned the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale less than 24 hours after checking in, relocating to a new venue near Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium where Saturday’s match will be played.

Players complained to team management about noise from road traffic outside the hotel and a nearby construction site. An official complaint was lodged with FIFA, and the entire squad was moved within two-and-a-half hours. FIFA agreed to cover 50 rooms plus security at the new hotel, though the Norwegian FA was required to meet additional costs for the upgrade.

The hotel disruption compounds an illness that has swept through the squad since Sunday. Manager Stale Solbakken said the affected players were recovering, but the back-to-back setbacks represent an unsettled build-up to the biggest match in Norwegian football history.

Norway’s logistics manager Truls Daehli acknowledged the difficulty of the move but insisted the squad’s wellbeing had to come first. “It is brutal having to move but we are satisfied with the new place and everyone is happy now,” he said. “Some people might fear that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone else.”

Daehli added: “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.”

Despite the off-field turbulence, Norway’s tournament run has been remarkable. The country qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and progressed through the group stage with only one defeat — a rotated side losing to France in their final group game. They then beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 32 before Erling Haaland scored twice to eliminate five-time world champions Brazil by the same scoreline.

That victory over Brazil sent Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. A win against England on Saturday would take them to the semi-finals.