FIFA World Cup 2026: Solbakken backs Norway’s move after thrashing in France

Norway’s Stale Solbakken made no apologies for making 10 changes to his squad for the final World Cup group match against France on Friday, despite being on the receiving end of a 4-1 draw.

Norway won their first two games and were already assured of a place in the last 32, so Solbakken took the opportunity to give the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard the day off and hand out World Cup debuts to much of his squad.

«I don’t regret it, on the contrary. I stand behind the decisions I made 100 percent,» he told reporters the day after the match, as his side started preparations for their final match against Ivory Coast.

«The only thing I feel sorry for is all the fans who were in Boston or at home and wanted to see Erling and Martin. I hope what I chose will give us a better experience on Tuesday, and maybe another experience and another experience.»

Solbakken had said his side would do their utmost to help Haaland, who has already scored four goals at the tournament, win the golden boot as top scorer, but the giant striker was left on the bench against France.

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“It would be completely unreasonable and strange if Haaland had played and then got tense, you can’t win that argument anyway,” the 58-year-old explained, adding that he would continue to make tough choices if they were to the team’s advantage.

“My job is to do what I believe deep down is the right thing to do, to ensure that Norway goes as far as possible in the World Cup,” he said.

“I can’t sit on the plane, whether we go home tomorrow or in three weeks, feeling like I haven’t done what I could as the one most responsible for making sure Norway gets as far as possible.”

Solbakken’s team will take on Ivory Coast on Tuesday in Dallas.

Published on June 28, 2026