The unexpected reason why Norway brought over 1,200lbs of food to the World Cup
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
Ståle Solbakken’s Norway, propped up by Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Oscar Bobb, is on the run of its life, having secured a FIFA World Cup quarter final spot for the first time in history.
And on Saturday (11 July), the squad will come face-to-face with England at the Miami Stadium following its 2-1 win over two-time tournament winners and perennial football powerhouse, Brazil.
The stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, is where fans can pick up outrageous food items, including a five-pound empanada and hash browns topped with caviar.
But players, including Norway’s No.1 goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who is currently without a club after being released by Sevilla, are unlikely to indulge in the arena’s delights.
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According to reports, this is because the Vikings are so locked into their nutrition that they actually shipped 1,276 pounds (or 580 kilograms) of food from Norway to its temporary headquarters at Greensboro, North Carolina, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Associated Press claimed the shipment included 660 pounds (300kg) of fresh Norwegian salmon and trout, and 220 pounds (100kg) of halibut.
Brown cheese has allegedly been flown over, too - 176 pounds (80kg) of it!
Jarlsberg cheese, a Norwegian mild Swiss-type cheese made from cow's milk, was also included in the shipment. As per reports, this was around 220 pounds (100 kilograms).
Head chef Aron Espeland has defended the decision to ship so much food over to the United States, claiming it was important that the Norwegian stars be offered a ‘taste of home’ whilst in the thick of competition in America.
“When athletes are competing at the highest level, consistency is important,” he reasoned.
“The players are used to certain products and flavors, and familiar foods can contribute both to nutrition and overall well-being during a demanding competition.”
He continued, telling the Associated press that his experience of cooking for the team in the US ‘has been excellent’.
“We have had access to high-quality local ingredients, and our approach has been to combine those with a selection of Norwegian products that help create continuity and a sense of home for the players during the tournament.”
Despite bringing so much produce into the country, the nutrition team behind the squad’s success is still procuring fresh items from the United States, as per Forbes.
The publication reported that this includes fruits and vegetables, grains, and meats.
Before taking to the field, those operating out of Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions camp are likely to feast upon beans on toast, according to a former England personal chef.
Tim De’Ath, 57, told The Sun: “Most of the players I worked with loved a helping of beans on wholemeal toast, which was always served three hours before kick-off.
“They’ll stack up on protein before games with midfielders who do lots of running, normally eating more than other players to boost their energy levels.”
Captain Harry Kane is apparently an exception, with the Bayern Munich striker reportedly preferring to eat a plate of scrambled eggs with a side of toast.
“But that’s also a light meal packed with protein and makes perfect fuel,” the cook reasoned.
This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out.
Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they don’t, then their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.
If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.
An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.
VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.
Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.
Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.