Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEngland will be the opponents as Norway play in a World Cup quarter-final for the first time ever on Saturday and one former player is tipping the Scandinavians as possible candidates to win the trophy.Norway returned to the tournament after 28 years away this summer, but beat Senegal and Ivory Coast on their way to the last 16, before shocking Brazil in New Jersey.Erling Haaland scored both goals in that game, before leading his team-mates in what has now become a traditional Viking rowing celebration on the pitch, with fans doing the same in the stands.Former Liverpool star is backing NorwayFormer Liverpool and Norway star John Arne Riise will be at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for Saturdays quarter-final, and is eager to join in the Viking row.I havent done it yet because I've been watching the games in a quiet area, he explained. But Im going to the game this Saturday and I have to do it in the stands. Im probably going to be sitting with other legends there, and when they do the rowing, Im joining in! I mean, I have to, because Ive never been to a World Cup either as a fan or a player. You may like Why Norway are the 2026 World Cup dark horses... and they don't even need to rely on Erling Haaland What is England's competitive record against Norway? History could be Norway's secret World Cup weapon against Brazil Im so excited because its going to be an unbelievable match on the pitch, but also in the stands. The Norwegian fans and English fans are going to have a great time together.Seeing how this World Cup has been for Norwegian fans has been unbelievable, and I want to participate, support them, and give my best to help the team. Hopefully, we can give England one hell of a beating.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.That last line was a reference to the famous commentary of Bjorge Lillelien, when Norway beat England in a World Cup qualifier in 1981. That result was a huge upset back then, but Norway havent lost to the Three Lions in a competitive fixture since that day.Riise believes that his country could even contend to win the whole tournament now.Yes, I do think that Norway can win the World Cup if they win this game against England, he said, speaking in association with BestBettingSites.co.uk.Why not? Before the World Cup started, I never thought we could win it, I thought a quarter-final spot would be our absolute maximum. But the way they've played, the way theyve carried themselves, and the way theyve attacked every single game to get to where they are now is unbelievable.Yes, I believe we can win it. I still think France are the massive favorites for the whole tournament and I can't see anybody beating them at the moment, but we can absolutely win. We are in the last eight, so everything is possible.TOPICSJohn Arne RiiseLiverpoolNorwayWorld CupChris FlanaganSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff WriterChris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
