Norway’s World Cup Quarter-Final: A Tactical Preview

By Sanjay Menon — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Norway’s approach to the quarter-final

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has stated that England are considered favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Despite this, Solbakken believes the pressure is more on England, though Norway also places importance on their own performance. The quarter-final match is scheduled for Saturday in Miami.

Solbakken highlighted that both England and Brazil represent significant historical opponents for Norway in this tournament. He also noted that the current World Cup run, which marks Norway’s first since 1998 and their furthest progression in the competition, has united the country.

The Norway squad features several players with experience in the Premier League, including Martin Ødegaard and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. Solbakken acknowledged Haaland as Norway’s primary match-winner but stressed that other players should not be underestimated, as Haaland relies on service from his teammates.

During their last-16 victory against Brazil, Norway maintained 66.4% possession. However, Solbakken does not anticipate a similar level of possession against England, especially given the rising temperatures in Miami. The team has adjusted its training to lighter, more technical sessions to ensure players are fresh for the match.

Key players and tactical considerations

A significant focus for England will be to limit service to Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in Norway’s journey to the quarter-finals. Haaland’s clinical finishing and explosive movement within the penalty box make him a constant threat. He is known for his ability to get out of a defender’s line of sight and dart across, making him difficult to mark. He also possesses various finishing techniques, including one-touch finishes and powerful shots through crowded areas.

Emma Hayes noted that Haaland appears relaxed and is playing with joy, which could be a concern for England. She suggested that England might consider playing Dan Burn against Haaland due to his physical attributes, although she acknowledged the difficulty of completely blocking Haaland’s runs.

Norway is not solely reliant on Haaland. Other players like Antonio Nusa, who has been in productive form on the left wing, and Oscar Bobb, who has made impactful cameo appearances, can also pose problems for England. Alexander Sørloth started in the win against Brazil. Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal player, has also demonstrated his quality throughout the tournament, linking play from midfield areas.

Norway’s tactical approach involves patient build-up play and a fluid, progressive midfield that creates overloads. They also utilise wingers with strong dribbling abilities and midfielders who make runs into the box. England’s full-backs and midfielders will need to work together to prevent crosses and shut down creative play in central areas.

England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, has been praised for his team’s performance, particularly in their 3-2 victory over Mexico, where they showed resilience despite playing with 10 men. Players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been outstanding, and Tuchel will likely aim to get his key players into strong attacking positions. England’s pace in the back four and their athleticism are considered advantages.

The match will be played in Miami’s sweltering heat, which is expected to be a significant factor. Both teams may need to slow down the tempo to cope with the conditions. England’s ability to handle setbacks, as demonstrated in their win against Mexico, suggests they are well-prepared for a challenging encounter.

The winner of this quarter-final will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals next Wednesday in Atlanta.

Source: theguardian.com