Norway thank FIFA for hotel rescue ahead of England World Cup quarter-final in Miami

Norway have resolved a disruptive accommodation crisis ahead of their FIFA World Cup quarter-final against England at Miami Stadium on Saturday, after FIFA agreed to transfer its logistical package — covering 50 rooms, security and transportation — to a new hotel.

The Scandinavian side had been staying at The Dalmar, a five-star hotel in Fort Lauderdale, but several players suffered illness, noise disturbances and basic logistical problems during their stay. A large construction project adjacent to the building, which backs onto a busy road, was understood to be affecting the squad during downtime. Captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged “there were some things that could have been better”, while head coach Stale Solbakken said the team lacked an adequate room in which to hold meetings.

Truls Daehl, head of Norway’s World Cup delegation, had previously described the situation as “brutal”. Speaking after the move, however, he struck a markedly more positive tone.

“There were things where we stayed first that we would have liked to have thought were different,” Daehl told TV2. “We eventually decided to take action, because now we are in week six and will be staying here for a whole week. And the match we are going to play now is the biggest match we have ever played.”

Daehl confirmed that FIFA’s financial support transferred seamlessly to the new property, with Norway covering only a modest top-up for the higher room rate. “We have been met with good understanding from FIFA, who have moved their package to the new hotel,” he said. “We are incredibly satisfied with the way things have been responded to here.”

The off-field turbulence comes at a pivotal moment for a Norway side making their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Solbakken’s men won all eight qualifying matches and have carried that momentum into the tournament, progressing from a demanding group that included France and Senegal before defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 16 and stunning heavily favoured Brazil by the same scoreline in the quarter-final.

Erling Haaland has been the driving force, scoring seven goals in four appearances — including a brace against Brazil — and sits among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot alongside England’s Harry Kane. England reached the last eight by edging co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca in a thrilling last-16 tie.