What happened in the England match?

Norway lost 2‑1 to England on July 11, 2026, after Jude Bellingham equalised in extra time. In the first half Ørjan Håskjold Nyland claimed the ball hit a camera‑pole just before the goal, but FIFA released a video showing no deviation in the ball’s chip data. FIFA told VG that the sensor in the “Connected Ball” did not register any spike in the “heartbeat of the ball” before England’s goal.

Why does this matter for Norway?

Head coach Ståle Solbakken protested strongly when the referee blew for halftime. He believed the camera‑pole altered the ball’s trajectory and that the referee should have stopped play. Assistant Kent Bergersen and striker Alexander Sørloth backed the claim, and several pundits, including Kjetil Rekdal, called the incident a potential scandal. Rule‑book says the ball must be dropped if it hits an external object, which could have changed the match’s flow.

What do FIFA and experts say?

FIFA posted a video on X showing the ball’s chip graph – no significant movement was recorded. They concluded there is no evidence the ball struck the pole. Nevertheless, the debate rages in Norwegian media, with Lars Tjærnås labeling the case a “total scandal”. England defender Dan Burn said such a decision would be rare in the Premier League but accepted the referee’s call.

What does this mean for the future?

Norway now holds a 3W‑0D‑2L (LWWWL, most recent first) record, with the latest result a 1‑2 loss to England (2026‑07‑11). Despite the controversy, the squad keeps its eye on upcoming tasks. The next fixture is at home against Denmark on September 24, 2026, a crucial test before further World Cup 2026 qualification. Solbakken stresses the team must learn from the incident and stay focused in the games ahead.

How does this affect the World Cup run?

Even though FIFA dismissed the evidence, public perception may impact team morale. Players, including Erling Braut Haaland, expressed disappointment that the goal was overturned after a video review. Rekdal warns that referee discretion could be challenged in future matches, especially in high‑stakes World Cup qualifiers. Norway now needs to secure points against Denmark and maintain form to clinch a spot at the 2026 World Cup.