Norway’s impressive run in the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup in North and Central America has hit a snag as the team battles a cold virus outbreak.
AP reported on Wednesday that a cold virus has spread through the Norwegian squad. Head coach Ståle Solbakken revealed that striker Jørgen Strand Larsen is down with a high fever, while other players are experiencing symptoms such as coughing and runny noses.
Norway, making their first World Cup finals appearance in 28 years since France ’98, had been on a roll. After advancing from the group stage with a 2-1-0 record, they stunned Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and pulled off a major upset against Brazil in the Round of 16, emerging as the tournament’s Cinderella story.
However, this unexpected illness threatens to derail their momentum.
British broadcaster BBC suggests that frequent air travel, compromised immune systems, and exposure to air conditioning may have contributed to the team’s current health woes.
With their quarterfinal clash against England looming at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on July 11, Norway’s immediate challenge is to overcome this viral outbreak rather than focusing on their opponents.
Coach Solbakken acknowledged the difficulty of containing a virus in close quarters but remained optimistic, stating that apart from Larsen’s high fever, the other players are only experiencing mild cold symptoms. It doesn’t foresee any issues in the preparation for the England match.