Norway are battling concerns over fatigue and illness within their camp just days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final showdown with England in Miami on Saturday.

The worries follow a night of post-match celebrations that manager Stale Solbakken sanctioned after his side's stunning round-of-16 victory over Brazil on Sunday — a result that sent Norway into the last eight for the first time in their history.

Solbakken gave his squad permission to enjoy the moment, telling them after the match: "We had a plan that you guys followed perfectly. We had matchwinners in both ends of the pitch. I just told them, Erling (Haaland), you can all go out tonight."

A tournament plagued by bugs

The celebrations have compounded what has already been a difficult campaign on the health front for Norway. The squad has dealt with recurring illness throughout the tournament, and the additional travel and late nights have heightened those concerns, according to Dagbladet, as reported by talkSPORT.

Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen missed Norway's group stage opener against Iraq due to sickness, while full-back Marcus Holmgren Pedersen sat out the Brazil match with a bug. The illness has not been confined to the players alone — Solbakken himself was seen coughing heavily during a post-match press conference following Norway's group stage match against France.

Speaking on the matter at that time, Solbakken acknowledged the spread of illness through his large travelling party: "We've really only had Jorgen who has had a fever. But then there's been a bit of coughing and rasping evenly, scattered throughout. But there's air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that. We're over 50 people so it would be strange if one or the other didn't come."

With a place in the semi-finals on the line, Norway will be hoping their squad can shake off the bugs in time to face England — a side that will be eager to end what has been a remarkable underdog run.