​The Sporting News originally reported on why Norway abruptly changed hotels in Miami on the eve of their World Cup quarterfinal, a shift that came as the team celebrated a historic Round of 16 victory over Brazil. As part of improving coverage, The Sporting News is being added as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Norway toppled Brazil to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals, they earned more than just a place in the last eight; they also gained an extended pause before meeting England. Spirits are clearly high in the Norwegian camp as Erling Haaland and his teammates gear up for their first World Cup quarterfinal, yet a few unplanned obstacles have surfaced behind the scenes. From a viral sickness within the squad to hotel complications, Norway faces several off-pitch factors in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash with England.
Here’s the background on why Norway had to switch hotels in Miami so abruptly. The Miami Herald reported that Norway moved to a new hotel after just one night in the city, basing its account on a report from Norway’s TV2 that cited construction noise and proximity to the beach as contributing factors. Truls Daehli, Norway’s logistics manager, explained to TV2, “We’re going to be here for a week, and we’re already in Week 6 in the USA and are going to play the biggest game in history of our time. So far, we’ve managed to avoid cabin fever, and we didn’t want any risk of it happening now.” The team’s original hotel was three miles from the beach, but with five full days of rest ahead and a strong desire to sidestep cabin fever, the squad sought a more convenient arrangement.
Daehli noted that FIFA would continue to cover the cost of the hotel rooms, but the Norwegian federation would pick up the difference since the new hotel cost more than the original. He added that the switch has yielded positive results: “We had to make a small adjustment, because this hotel costs more. But we are incredibly satisfied with the way things have been responded to here. There are only happy faces here now.”
Some voices speculated that a reported illness sweeping through the roster might have influenced the decision to move hotels. However, there is no evidence that illness played a role, and Norway’s manager, Stale Solbakken, has denied that players are seriously affected. “Everything is fine, every player is fine, there’s no sickness among the players,” Solbakken told reporters. “There’s been one or two on the staff, so at this moment we are all ready to go.” The chatter about illness began after Solbakken described symptoms his players had been dealing with following the win over Brazil: “We’ve really only had Jørgen who has had a fever. But then there’s been a bit of coughing and rasping, distributed across the group,” he said, noting how air conditioning, flights, and changing rooms could contribute to the issue. With more than 50 people traveling, he cautioned that it would be a stretch to consider the situation a true illness affecting the entire squad.
In summary, Norway’s hotel switch in Miami was driven by a combination of logistical considerations—distance from the beach, a preference to avoid cabin fever during a lengthy break—and cost factors covered by FIFA, with the federation absorbing the higher expense for a more suitable setup. While speculation about illness circulated, Solbakken has maintained that the players are fit and ready for the challenge against England, and Daehli has emphasized the positive turn in the team’s preparations following the change.