FIFA World Cup 2026: England's best players don't play in Premier League, says Norway coach Solbakken ahead of QF clash

Miami [US], July 9 (ANI): Norway head coach Stale Solbakken played down suggestions that his side’s familiarity with Premier League football would provide an edge against England, saying the Three Lions’ biggest stars actually play outside England’s top flight.

Norway take on England in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final on Saturday (local time), with much of the pre-match focus centred on Premier League stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, who represent Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.

However, Solbakken pointed out that England’s standout performers at the tournament have been plying their trade in Europe rather than the Premier League.

“I don’t know if it’s favourable. Some of the players have obviously played against many of the English players,” Solbakken told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.

“The two best English players may not be playing in the Premier League. They’re playing in Spain and Germany, so you can also take it that way,” he added.

England captain Harry Kane, who now plays for Bayern Munich, has scored six goals at the tournament and remains in contention for the Golden Boot, while Jude Bellingham, starring for Real Madrid, has added four goals, including a brace in England’s dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Mexico.

Norway arrive in Miami riding high after knocking out five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. While Solbakken admitted the result had lifted the squad’s confidence, he warned that past performances would count for little once the match begins.

“I think it gave (us) more confidence, but I think that… Every game lives its own life,” he said, as per Reuters.

“I don’t think that any other team we have met so far in this World Cup has underestimated us. Every team does their analysis, a lot of analysis, so there are no secrets. That goes for this game as well,” he said.

The Norwegian coach also dismissed concerns over the fitness of his squad after reports earlier in the week suggested illness had affected the camp.

“It’s right that Odegaard was sick. It’s his uncle (Thomas) who is a physio; he is sick. It’s not Martin,” Solbakken clarified.

“So everything is fine, every player is fine. There’s no sickness among the players. There’s been one or two in the staff,” the Norwegian head coach said.

Solbakken reserved special praise for Haaland, who has scored seven goals at the tournament–one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race–and highlighted the striker’s influence beyond his goals.

“He’s one of the boys. He has been together with these boys from under-16, 17 and 18,” Solbakken said.

“Many of them have been together their whole life, so they’re really enjoying this journey as well,” he added.

The coach also praised Odegaard’s leadership, suggesting the Arsenal skipper shoulders even greater responsibility with the national team.

“He perhaps has a little bit more free role in our team,” Solbakken explained.

“Maybe when he plays with Arsenal, he has equal players with the same experience with Declan Rice and (Martin) Zubimendi. They can share it a little bit. Obviously, we maybe put a little bit more on his shoulders,” he said.

“Together with Erling, he has been one of our best players for the long term and a great captain, also when times were a little bit tougher than it is now,” Solbakken concluded.

The winner of Saturday’s clash will book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. (ANI)

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