Norway Battles Illness Outbreak Before England World Cup Clash
Norway's squad faces a widespread illness outbreak with cough and fever affecting players and coaching staff days before their World Cup quarterfinal against England on July 11, including striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Norway's head coach Stale Solbakken says multiple players and coaching staff members are battling illness ahead of the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against England on July 11.
Norway has qualified for the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history and will face England on that date.
However, Solbakken recently revealed that many members of Norway's team camp are currently sick, experiencing persistent cough, fever, and fatigue that are affecting both players and coaching staff.
"We have cough and hoarse voices in the group," Solbakken said, adding that he himself is also suffering from a persistent cough.
One of those affected is Jørgen Strand Larsen, who is recovering from fever that has disrupted preparations ahead of Norway's World Cup opener.
Solbakken also praised striker Erling Haaland's performance in the tournament, noting that in his first World Cup appearance, Haaland has already scored seven goals. "All great footballers have the desire to show their abilities. If they're not involved in a match, they often try to move around off the pitch to say 'I'm here.' But Erling doesn't care about that."
"He knows what he does best. He knows how he can help the team, and that's what happened on Sunday. No footballer has ever played like this before."
