Klinsmann Warns of Potential Discord in Squad, Posing Challenges for Norway at the World Cup

With extensive experience as both a player and a coach in major tournaments, Klinsmann has highlighted a specific challenge that he believes Norway will face ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Currently in Norway for a football conference at the national stadium in Ullevaal, Klinsmann advised coach Stale Solbakken that discontent among players in the World Cup squad could create significant issues for Norway at this esteemed tournament.

“You must maintain positivity within the squad every single day. Regardless of whether a player is having an off day, or if there are conflicts among players or staff, or when the media stirs up trouble,” Klinsmann stated, as reported by NRK.

“Managing these internal disputes and practising effective ‘man-management’ is a crucial responsibility for the coach,” Klinsmann cautioned Solbakken.

Having coached Germany in 2006 and the USA in 2014 at the World Cup, Klinsmann underscored the significance of keeping all players satisfied within the squad.

This is especially vital for those players who may not receive as much playing time. The expansion of World Cup squads to 26 players in recent years adds to the complexity of this task, according to Klinsmann.

“I was not in favour of increasing the squads from 22 to 26 players a few years back, or allowing five substitutions instead of three during matches. This creates additional challenges.”

“I would prefer to manage 22 or 23 players, rather than have to disappoint even more individuals. I would much rather bring in three players I trust to perform well, rather than put in two players just to wind down the clock in the last few minutes,” he remarked.

Norway is set to commence its journey in the 2026 World Cup with a match against Iraq on 17 June.