Norway will have a different base of operations for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals after complaints were made by players regarding their initial Florida accommodation.
The Norwegian contingent arrived in Miami on Monday and was checked into the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. They were greeted by FIFA officials, police, and hotel staff as they stepped off the plane and landed in the sunshine, but decided to up sticks after just one night.
Reports in Norwegian publication NRK claim players were unhappy about the rooms smelling of cigarette smoke, the presence of mould, and the overall lack of hygiene.
Furthermore, the location of the hotel was next to a busy main road and ongoing construction work, with the nearest beach almost four kilometres away. Delegation chief Truls Dhli has confirmed that the change in base was necessary in order to create the best possible working environment as the country prepares to play its most important football match of recent times.
“We made a decision to move out of the original place, as we’ve been together in six weeks and wanted to make sure that there’s nothing to think about before the big match,” said Dhli. He did admit to thanking FIFA for their help with the change of hotel, adding that the governing body is still covering the hotel bill and the cost of security and transport, but has also said that the Norwegian FA would cover the difference of the higher cost of the new hotel.
Norway face England on Saturday at the 2026 World Cup.
