Norway’s national football team has criticised FIFA after being forced to change hotels just days before its FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash against England, citing concerns over the quality and location of the accommodation provided.
The Norwegian squad arrived in Miami on Monday, July 6, and was initially accommodated at The Dalmar hotel in Fort Lauderdale, a venue arranged by FIFA for participating teams. However, after spending just one night at the hotel, the team decided to relocate to the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, approximately three miles away.
According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, several of the rooms assigned to players reportedly had issues including cigarette smoke, mould, and poor cleanliness. While some of the reported problems were addressed quickly, members of the Norwegian delegation believed the hotel environment was not suitable for a team preparing for one of its biggest matches in recent history.
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken acknowledged that the room-related concerns were resolved promptly but said the hotel’s surroundings remained a concern. He noted that the property is located beside a busy six-lane highway and a major construction site, while the nearest beach was about an hour’s walk away, making it less than ideal for player recovery and relaxation.
The situation sparked criticism in Norway, with football analyst Jesper Mathisen describing FIFA’s accommodation choice as inappropriate for a World Cup quarter-final. He argued that players should be provided with the best possible environment to rest and prepare, adding that factors such as noise, hygiene, and overall comfort could influence performance at the highest level.
Despite the criticism, the head of Norway’s World Cup delegation, Truls Daehli, commended FIFA for responding swiftly to the team’s concerns. He explained that because the squad would remain in the area for a full week, officials decided it was best to move to a hotel that offered more suitable conditions.
Daehli added that FIFA agreed to transfer its accommodation package to the new hotel, while the Norwegian Football Federation would cover the additional cost since the Four Seasons is a more expensive option.
Norway captain Martin Ødegaard also defended the decision, saying the move was made solely to ensure the squad had the best possible conditions ahead of the crucial encounter.
“There were some things that could have been better, then we fixed it really just to optimise and prepare ourselves as best as possible for a big match,” Ødegaard said.
Reports also noted that Argentina’s national team had previously stayed at The Dalmar during the tournament before its Round of 32 match against Cape Verde without making any public complaints.
Norway will face England in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final at Miami Stadium on Saturday, with the team hoping its last-minute accommodation change will help provide the ideal preparation for the highly anticipated fixture.
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