Norway striker Erling Haaland has defended coach Stale Solbakken’s decision to rotate his squad in the team’s 4-1 defeat to France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the outcome would have been the same even if the strongest lineup had played.
Solbakken made 10 changes to his starting team for the final Group I match, leaving key players including Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa on the bench.
The move attracted criticism from fans and pundits, with Norway still having a chance to finish top of the group.
France took full advantage of the changes, producing a dominant display to secure victory and top the group.
Despite the criticism, Solbakken stood by his decision, saying his priority was preparing Norway for the knockout stage.
I would do it again immediately,” Solbakken said. “We are here to go as far as possible and I have to make the decisions that I think will take us the furthest. The only thing I feel guilty about is the traveling fans who wanted to see Erling, Martin, and the other stars.”
Haaland praises France ahead of knockout stage
Haaland also supported his manager’s approach, dismissing suggestions that Norway’s first-choice team would have produced a different result.
“I said beforehand that I don’t care, and that is still the case,” Haaland said. “France was the better team anyway. Even with our strongest 11, I don’t think we could have beaten them.”
The Manchester City forward described France as one of the strongest teams in the tournament and praised the quality throughout Didier Deschamps’ squad.
“France has world-class players everywhere,” Haaland added. “[Kylian] Mbappe, [Michael] Olise, [Ousmane] Dembele… they just keep coming. They will pose a problem for any team and I honestly think they can go very far. What they showed against us was terrifying.”
Norway have already secured qualification for the Round of 32 and will now turn their attention to a knockout clash with Ivory Coast.
Solbakken is expected to recall his first-choice players as Norway attempt to continue their World Cup campaign.