New Delhi: The Norwegian football team landed in the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with more than its gear. The team has reportedly shipped 500 kg of seafood, 116 kg of brown cheese, and 6,000 oranges. The supplies were delivered to their training camp in Greensboro, North Carolina, the team’s home base.
“The Norwegian players love fish and shellfish, so I can promise they will be served plenty of excellent seafood while they are in the US. We have brought around 500kg of seafood from Norway. The menu includes salmon, trout, saithe, Arctic char, turbot, halibut, king crab, snow crab, and langoustines,” said chef Aron Espeland, who has cooked for the team for 35 years.
Norway has qualified for the tournament after 28 years. The team last played in 1998. For their comeback, the football team has come more than prepared. Chef Espeland has travelled with them so the players can get nutritious food in America, the birthplace of the global fast-food industry.
Tons of seafood
Nordic food differs from the traditional American diet. It heavily features seafood, higher fibre intake, root vegetables, and lower amounts of processed sugar. The team’s diet includes ingredients sourced from local markets.
According to reports on social media, the Norway team shipped 300 kg of Atlantic salmon, 116 kg of Brunost (brown cheese), and 6,000 oranges for its World Cup tour. A team of elite chefs, headed by Espeland, Mozzart Sport reported, is preparing four meals a day for 60 people.
While several reports called the move a way to avoid processed food in the US, the menu centres familiar flavours that players have known throughout their lives. Espeland expects the team to consume all 300 kg of fish during the team’s time in the World Cup, reported TasteAtlas.
The Norway team has shipped the food to avoid digestive problems, as sudden dietary changes abroad can affect players’ health and performance. The team isn’t too keen on jeopardising its chances at the World Cup after three decades.
The team’s star player, who also plays for Manchester City, Erling Haaland, has previously talked about “simple nutrition”. In an interview, he mentioned that his diet consists of staples such as raw milk, eggs, sourdough bread, steak, honey, fish, and vegetables—consistent across the entire national team.
In its first match, Norway routed Iraq 4-1.Their second match is scheduled for 23 June against Senegal.
While football teams across the world enjoyed lavish farewell ceremonies before heading to the World Cup, Norway’s squad went viral after unveiling their World Cup arrival in a photoshoot featuring traditional Viking attire.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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