Norway striker Alexander Sorloth has spoken up in the wake of Norway’s crushing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atletico Madrid player featured in the 2-1 loss to England that eliminated Norway from the competition after making it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time.
After taking a 1-0 lead, Sorloth had a brilliant chance to assist strike partner Erling Haaland for Norway’s second goal but he hesitated to make the pass and chose to shoot; his attempt was blocked. (Scroll down to watch video)
England scored the equaliser three minutes after Sorloth’s missed chance en route to winning the tie; Sorloth has since been the target of serious online abuse including death threats. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
This is the moment Norway lost to England…Up by a goal and in this position, Sorloth refused to pass the ball to Erling Haaland for what would have been a second goal for Norway. Best part is Jude Bellingham scored the equaliser three minutes later pic.twitter.com/q8wTp99LlL
— Yaw Adjei-Mintah (@YawMintYM) July 11, 2026
30 year old Sorloth addressed the issue in an interview with VG and explained why he didn’t make the pass.
“The only thing I want in that situation there is to pass to Erling [Haaland]. Then it feels like that pass isn’t there, and then I go for the shot. It’s heavy, and it’s those kind of things you wish you could have done better.”
Erling Haaland by your side and you chose to feed your ego! Shame on you Sorloth.
Or just take the fucking shot. Literally do anything other than that.
The hesitation is what really kills it here, we’ve all had those moments of hesitation where the opportunity slipped from our… pic.twitter.com/kDpqXbZcYj
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) July 12, 2026
