Miami, Florida, will host a pivotal FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match between England and Norway on Saturday night. Norway, making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, have emerged as dark horses by defeating five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16 and winning their first two knockout matches in history.

England seeks to reach the semifinals for the fourth time, aiming to avoid an eighth quarterfinal exit. This match marks the first time in the tournament that two leading Golden Boot contenders, Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane, will face each other on the pitch.

Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken had previously benched Haaland during the group stage match against France despite Haaland scoring twice in earlier games, as Norway had already secured knockout qualification. Haaland then scored the winning goal against Ivory Coast and both goals in the 2-1 victory over Brazil to propel Norway to the quarterfinals.

Both Haaland and Kane have won the Premier League Golden Boot three times and have had successful careers in Germany, but they have only played against each other twice before during the 2022/23 season. Kane made his England debut shortly before turning 33 in March 2025 and has started four World Cup qualifying matches, while Haaland scored seven goals in five matches against Marc Guehi before Guehi joined him at Manchester City.

Norway returned to Boston for their loss to France, where Solbakken rotated 10 players, before playing in enclosed conditions for their win over Ivory Coast in Dallas.

This quarterfinal encounter in Miami promises to be a defining moment in the tournament as England and Norway vie for a place in the semifinals.

Sources