FIFA World Cup 2026 — Solbakken unveils a gift from Ancelotti after Norway’s historic victory over Brazil

Norway’s Stale Solbakken found it hard to sleep after Sunday’s thrilling 2-1 World Cup win over Brazil, with the coach revealing a kind gift from his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti ended a row over a music video.

Before the match, many Brazilian fans were provoked by a clip in which Solbakken said: «Carlo Ancelotti, we are coming after you!» after Norway’s victory over Ivory Coast in the last 32 years, but their 58-year-old coach said it had been taken out of context and it appeared there were no hard feelings from Ancelotti.

«I can say that he (Ancelotti) showed his greatness after the match. He sent a representative with a Brazilian shirt with my name on the back and a greeting. So it was strong stuff,» Solbakken told reporters on Monday.

Striker Erling Haaland scored twice to send Norway to the quarter-finals for the first time, where they play England in Miami on Saturday, and Solbakken gave his players and coaches the night off to rejoice as he struggled to sleep.

READ ALSO: Ancelotti remains coach of Brazil despite exiting the World Cup

«I let the support staff celebrate on their own. I was too tired, so I went to bed and watched the game again, and then I scrolled a little here and there and answered a few texts, and slept very little. But it was a good morning,» Solbakken said.

The coach said he hadn’t exactly given his players free rein to celebrate their historic victory, but he expected them to still enjoy themselves.

«They decide these things themselves, it’s freedom with responsibility. It’s always like that, these guys are coping just fine,» he added.

Published on July 6, 2026