World Cup 2026: England favourites to reach semi-finals
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- Norway coach Stale Solbakken acknowledges England as favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals but insists they are not overwhelming favourites ahead of their quarter-final clash in Miami.
- Solbakken highlights the pressure on England compared to Norway, emphasizing his team's focus on performance rather than pressure during the match.
- Norway's squad features Premier League stars like Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, with Haaland scoring seven goals in Norway's historic run to their first World Cup quarter-final since 1998.
- The match is framed as a significant encounter between two football giants, with Solbakken recognizing Harry Kane and Erling Haaland as key match-winners for their respective teams but stressing the importance of the entire squad.
- Solbakken praises England's recent performances under Thomas Tuchel and notes Norway's strategy to conserve energy ahead of the game, expecting a different style of play compared to their high-possession win over Brazil.
