MIAMI — England will take on Norway in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final on Saturday with a place in the last four at stake, as Thomas Tuchel's side seeks to continue its title challenge against a Norwegian team enjoying its deepest run in the tournament.
England reached the quarter-finals after defeating co-host Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16, despite finishing the match with 10 men following defender Jarell Quansah's dismissal. Norway advanced by upsetting Brazil 2-1, with striker Erling Haaland scoring twice to send the Scandinavians into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Tuchel confirmed on Friday that England had received a fitness boost ahead of the match, with Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James returning to full training after earlier concerns. Quansah will miss the match through suspension, while midfielder Jordan Henderson remains unavailable after suffering a broken arm following the victory over Mexico.
Speaking before the match, Tuchel said his squad was focused on taking the tournament one game at a time despite growing expectations around England's campaign.
"We have to go step by step," Tuchel said, adding that his players remained determined to compete for the title.
Norway's run has been built around the prolific form of Haaland, who has led the team's attack throughout the tournament alongside captain Martin Ødegaard. Norway progressed from a group containing France before eliminating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout rounds to reach the last eight.
The match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time (2100 GMT). The winner will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals, according to the official tournament bracket.
England is aiming to reach another World Cup semi-final under Tuchel after navigating a demanding knockout path, while Norway is attempting to extend a historic campaign that has already produced the nation's best performance at the men's World Cup.
Tournament organizers have also warned that weather conditions in south Florida, including heat and the possibility of thunderstorms, could affect match operations if necessary, although the fixture remains scheduled to proceed as planned.
The quarter-final is one of the final four matches that will determine the teams competing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, with the semi-finals set to begin next week.
