England Faces Norway in World Cup Quarter-Final

POLICY WIRE — Miami, Florida — England is preparing for its World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Norway in Miami, Florida, with significant team selection decisions made by coach Thomas Tuchel. The Independent reported that Ezri Konsa is expected to start at right-back, with Noni Madueke replacing Bukayo Saka on the right side of the attack. The match is anticipated to occur amid sweltering heat and thunderstorm warnings in Miami, according to The Independent.

The Independent indicated that Konsa will start ahead of Reece James, who’s recovering from injury. Jarell Quansah is unavailable due to a two-match ban received after a red card against Mexico, as reported by The Independent. Marc Guehi is deemed fit to play at centre-back alongside John Stones, according to The Independent. Declan Rice, who had been an injury doubt, is also expected to start in midfield, The Independent stated. Anthony Gordon is anticipated to retain his position on the left wing, The Independent reported. The expected lineup, as understood by The Independent, includes Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice, Bellingham; Madueke, Kane, Gordon.

Marc Guehi, Declan Rice, and Reece James participated in training sessions on the eve of the match, according to The Independent. Guehi had been reported to have a hamstring injury, and Rice had been affected by a stomach bug following the last-16 victory against Mexico, The Independent noted. James had missed England’s previous three matches due to a hamstring issue, The Independent reported. England coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that “everyone available in training” except for the suspended Jarell Quansah, according to his statement. Jordan Henderson was the sole player to miss training as he recovers from wrist surgery, The Independent stated.

England advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating co-hosts Mexico, a performance described by The Independent as one of England’s all-time great World Cup performances. Norway, featuring player Erling Haaland, reached this stage by eliminating Brazil in their previous match, The Independent reported.

World Cup ticket resale prices for quarter-final matches decreased following the elimination of co-hosts United States and Mexico, according to TickPick. The lowest price for the England-Norway match in Miami Gardens, Florida, was listed at $2,049 on Saturday, a reduction from $3,866 before England’s victory over Mexico, TickPick reported. FIFA has approximately 1,200 seats available for the final at a price of $7,380, according to TickPick.

England captain Harry Kane stated that former England captain Sir David Beckham “just wished us luck” and messages him “after most games,” according to Kane’s comments. Kane also mentioned that the team was “using his home, the home that he built,” referring to Inter Miami’s training facilities. Regarding Norway’s Erling Haaland, Kane described him as “incredible” with an amazing goalscoring record, adding that Haaland is “physically, he’s a machine, he’s a beast.” Kane, however, characterized himself as a “different player” who prefers to touch the ball a little bit more, be involved in play a little bit more, according to his statements. Alan Shearer, speaking to Betfair, called Haaland “the best striker in the world” as an out and out number nine.