FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken, deemed it an obvious choice to rest 10 key players, including Erling Haaland, in their match against France due to medical evaluations revealing fatigue among several players on the squad.
Following extensive lineup changes in Boston, Norway fell 4-1 to the World Cup favorites, finishing as runners-up in Group I and setting up a round of 32 matchup against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Solbakken’s decision to rest key players led frustrated fans at the stadium to chant, “We want Haaland,” lamenting the missed opportunity to see the Manchester City star face off against Kylian Mbappé.
Despite the backlash, Solbakken stood firm on his choice, emphasizing that it was made to prioritize player health and the team’s progression beyond the round of 32.
“This is a straightforward decision,” Solbakken explained. “After our match against Senegal [on Monday], it was evident that several players showed signs of fatigue after 80 minutes. This included our entire defense and some midfielders.
“We also recognized that after the Senegal match, we had the shortest turnaround to play again today.
“While we could have competed, our objective is to win, and we must assess our readiness for the next game.
“Therefore, this decision was a clear choice for me, the medical staff, and even some players who acknowledged it would be challenging for them to participate.”
Solbakken acknowledged fan sentiments but reiterated his focus on optimizing Norway’s chances for success.
– Ogden, Laurens: Dembélé’s hat trick proves France is a World Cup contender
– Dove: Senegal shines in last-minute bid for World Cup advancement
– 2026 World Cup: Routes to Knockout Stage
“The only thing we considered was the fans’ perspective,” he stated. “They certainly wanted to see Erling and Martin Ødegaard, but our decision was made quickly without hesitation.
“Both Erling and Martin are team-focused players who understand what’s best for the group. Fans want to see them, but we hope to provide memorable performances in the coming weeks.
“We’ve already given our supporters some victories and opportunities to witness more games, which is our goal.
“We’re not naive; we aim to remain in this tournament for as long as possible, so this choice was an easy one.”