Norway face England for World Cup semifinal place in Miami
Norway’s first World Cup quarterfinal brings Erling Haaland up against Harry Kane and an England side favored to advance.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Norway and England meet Saturday in Miami Gardens with a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals at stake. The match brings together Norway’s breakout run, led by Erling Haaland, and an England team trying to reach its first semifinal since 2018.
Al Jazeera reported that the quarterfinal will be played at Miami Stadium in Florida at 5 p.m. local time, 21:00 GMT. The winner will face Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Norway are in the last eight of a men’s World Cup for the first time, according to Al Jazeera. The team returned to the tournament after a 28-year absence and has advanced behind Haaland’s scoring and a run that included a last-16 win over Brazil.
Road to the quarterfinal
Norway finished second in Group I with six points after wins over Senegal and Iraq and a defeat to France, Al Jazeera reported. They then beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 32 before defeating Brazil by the same score in the last 16.
England won Group L with seven points, beating Croatia and Panama and drawing with Ghana. Al Jazeera reported that England came from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 32, then eliminated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium.
England arrive with more recent World Cup experience, having reached a third straight quarterfinal, according to Al Jazeera. Bukayo Saka said England understood that past experience would not decide the match: “We’ve been here a few times. But the best team on the day is going to be the team that wins, so we’re aware of that and that’s where our focus is.”
Haaland and Kane take centre stage
Haaland is playing in his first World Cup and has scored seven goals, placing him third in the Golden Boot race behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, Al Jazeera reported. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have carried much of their team’s attack, combining for 10 of England’s 11 goals at the tournament.
Al Jazeera said England’s defence has kept two clean sheets in five matches. That back line now faces Haaland, whose form has made him one of the tournament’s most watched players.
Haaland said Norway’s progress had exceeded his expectations. “To be in the quarterfinals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising, even for me,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.
He also described playing at the World Cup with Norway as a major career target. “Just to be able to play in the World Cup is, for me, a huge honour, and it was a huge goal for me in my career,” Haaland said.
Team news and odds
England will be without defender Jarell Quansah, who received a two-match suspension after his red card against Mexico, Al Jazeera reported. Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a broken wrist.
Marc Guehi has a slight hamstring strain and was due to be assessed Friday, while Reece James remains doubtful because of a hamstring issue. Al Jazeera reported no injury concerns for Norway.
Opta’s prediction model gives England a 50.4% chance of winning in regulation time. Norway’s chance is listed at 25.1%, with a 24.6% probability that the match goes to extra time.
The teams have not met at a World Cup, according to Al Jazeera. England have won seven of their 12 previous matches against Norway, with Norway winning twice and three games ending level. England won the most recent meeting, a 1-0 friendly victory at Wembley in 2014.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.