England have reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, but they now face a dangerous Norway side in the last eight. Here is what they need to do to progress.
After three weeks of hard graft, comebacks and late drama, England will face Norway in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup this weekend.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have enjoyed one of the easier routes to this point of the competition, but it hasn’t exactly felt simple for them getting here.
Regardless, Norway will still be a step up.
The Vikings’ squad is headlined by superstar Martin Ødegaard.
The Norway captain recorded an assist in each of his first three World Cup games, becoming the first player to do so since Germany’s Michael Ballack in 2002. Only Brahim Díaz, Bruno Guimarães and Michael Olise have set up more goals at this World Cup than him.
He also plays a key role in progressing the ball through the lines. Ahead of the quarter-finals, he was joint first at the World Cup for passes that broke the opposition’s defensive line while under high pressure (an opponent within 2m), with seven.
His tally can only be matched by Olise (who has played a game more than the Norwegian before this round) and Enzo Fernández. Ødegaard has also played more passes into the opposition’s box in North America than any other Norway player (20). His passes might not necessarily be going to Haaland, but they are key to finding their talisman close to goal.
Keeping Ødegaard quiet could be the key to victory. If England are unable to stop the problem that is Haaland, they could look to extinguish the fire at its source.
Go On the Attack (Down Norway’s Right)
While England will most certainly have to be wary of the vast threat carried by Haaland and Ødegaard, they will also need to commit to attacking, too. There is every reason to expect Haaland will find the net once again, so the plan has to be to score at least twice.
Norway are far from infallible at the back. They scored (12) and conceded (nine) in all of their first five games at the 2026 World Cup and, if they win while conceding here, they would become only the second side ever to reach the semi-finals of the competition having scored and conceded 10+ goals (also Germany in 1954). In short, they have made it this far because of their attack, not their defence.
Some important caveats are needed here, though. Brazil only scored against them with a last-gasp penalty, and four of the goals they have let in came with a second-string side playing against one of the best teams in the world, France.
However, they also conceded the only goal Iraq scored before crashing out, twice to Senegal and once to the Ivory Coast. And there might just be a bit of a pattern that is worth Tuchel noting.
Norway have conceded three open-play goals from crosses down their right side: one vs each of Iraq, Senegal and France. Ahead of the quarter-finals, no other team has conceded more from a specific side of the pitch at the World Cup. They have also faced more shots from crosses (within 10 seconds of the cross) at the World Cup than any other team (22).
England, meanwhile, lead the 2026 World Cup (alongside Egypt) for headed goals, with four. They have scored three goals from crosses from their left. Ørjan Nyland to Sørloth.
If England press high, Norway will be more than happy to boot the ball towards their two giants up the other end of the pitch. From there, winning duels and second balls will be crucial.
England have the second-best duel success rate of any team at the World Cup (54.5%), while Norway (46.2%) rank fourth from bottom, ahead of only Austria, New Zealand and Haiti. England also rank seventh for aerial duel success rate (56.7%).
But it is one thing winning the first contact; more important will be securing possession by mopping up the second balls. It’s exactly the kind of thing at which their midfield three excel; Declan Rice (18) aren’t too far behind even though the latter was rested for one game.
The job those three do without the ball will be key to England’s chances.
Use Their Tournament Experience
England need to draw on their previous successes in major tournaments to overcome their opposition. Who would’ve thought we would be able to say that when, 10 years ago, they were getting dumped out of Euro 2016 by Iceland?
Following the appointment of Gareth Southgate after Euro 2016, England have returned to the sharp end of major international tournaments. Their worst performance in either a World Cup or Euros since Southgate initially came in was being knocked out of the 2022 World Cup by France in the quarter-finals. They reached the final of the Euros either side of that tournament, also making it to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.
Their progression to the last eight this time around means England have now reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the 11th time. Only Brazil and Germany have reached the last eight more (both 14 times).
By contrast, Norway are the new kids on the international football block. This is the first time they have made the quarter-finals of any major international competition, and their victories over the Ivory Coast and Brazil were their first two wins in the knockouts of any major tournament.
While the entire Norwegian team are making their first appearances on the world’s biggest stage,
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