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Before the biggest football match in the country’s history, Norway had to make last-minute logistical changes.
Norway is set to face England for a spot in the World Cup semifinals on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but Norway’s players apparently weren’t getting much rest.
According to The Independent, players requested a change of hotel due to “noise and disruption from the road outside their original hotel as well as a nearby construction site.”
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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The team was staying at the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale but has now moved to a hotel even closer to the stadium.
“It’s brutal having to move, but we’re happy with the new place and everyone is happy now,” a team representative told PK Press Club Digital.
“Some might worry that this would affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone. We have strong people in our support team and managed to move in two and a half hours. The process of changing hotels is not ideal, but we wanted to act as quickly as possible. Having a good atmosphere is the most important thing.
David Moller Wolfe, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland of Norway celebrate the opening goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar)
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“We are going to stay a week in Miami, and we are now six weeks in the United States and we are going to play the biggest match in Norway’s history. So far we have avoided cabin fever and we don’t want any more risks. FIFA has accepted that we have to move to another hotel.”
The Independent said FIFA had agreed to pay for 50 rooms and security for the new hotel, while the Norwegian Football Association would pay any additional costs associated with the hotel change.
Norway was buoyed by Erling Haaland, who scored two second-half goals on Sunday to help Norway beat Brazil in the round of 16.
Norwegian fans perform the Vikings routine in Times Square, New York, before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I match against Senegal, June 21, 2026. (John Sibley/Reuters)
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The team’s players have also been dealing with illness in recent days.
This is only Norway’s fourth time at the World Cup and their first since 1998, but this team has conquered their country. This is the first time he has made it past the round of 16.
