Norway Coach Attacks the World Cup: We Are All Hypocrites

Norway's national team coach, Ståle Solbakken, launched a sharp attack on the conditions and controversy surrounding the World Cup, considering that everyone bears part of the responsibility for the contradictions that surrounded the tournament, not just the organizers.

Solbakken said during a press conference before facing Iraq in the first round of the group stage: "Are the World Cup organizers hypocrites? You are hypocrites, and we are hypocrites too. There are many things that could have been handled differently, starting from the host country being at war with another country, to visa issues and the detention of players like Ayman Hussein for long hours."

The Norwegian coach cited the incident involving Iraqi national team striker Ayman Hussein, who was interrogated and detained for long hours by U.S. border authorities upon his arrival to participate in the tournament, considering this incident as embodying the contradictions surrounding the World Cup.

Solbakken added that criticism should not be directed at just one party, emphasizing that the media, teams, and all participants bear responsibility for accepting the current reality, given the political and procedural issues that have cast a shadow over the 2026 World Cup.