News Focus
- Norway manager Stale Solbakken accuses Scotland boss Steve Clarke of ‘unprofessional’ conduct
- Scotland cancelled a private training friendly due to minor injuries in their squad
- Solbakken claims Clarke failed to contact him directly about the decision
- Norway’s team manager Brede Hangeland describes the late cancellation as ’embarrassing’
- Both nations are preparing for their 2026 World Cup openers in North Carolina
Stale Solbakken has strongly criticised Steve Clarke after the Scotland head coach called off a planned training game between the two countries. The Norway manager described Clarke’s actions as ‘unprofessional’ and questioned the reasons given for the cancellation.
The two teams had arranged to meet for a closed-doors friendly on Monday at Scotland’s training base in North Carolina. Both sides are currently staying in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup finals.
However, the Scottish Football Association cancelled the match on Sunday. They explained that several players had suffered minor fitness problems. Clarke later told BBC Scotland that his medical team had picked up ‘one or two niggles’ during the previous week. He said his staff decided the friendly carried too much risk so close to the tournament.
Solbakken rejected this explanation following Norway’s 1-1 draw with Morocco on Sunday evening. The Norwegian coach suggested the injury claims were not genuine. He also complained that Clarke did not telephone him personally to explain the situation.
‘It is unprofessional of Scotland,’ Solbakken told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. ‘The coach has not called me. They used their team manager to inform us after we had finished our own training session.’
The former Wolves manager added that he did not believe Scotland’s players had been hurt in their most recent session. He called the late notice disappointing and poor behaviour.
Brede Hangeland, who serves as Norway’s team manager, echoed these complaints. The ex-Fulham defender revealed that his side had organised their World Cup preparation around this fixture for many months. He described the last-minute change as ’embarrassing’ and ‘weak’.
The two camps are based approximately 90 miles apart in North Carolina. Norway are staying in Greensboro while Scotland have set up in Charlotte.
Scotland completed their public warm-up schedule on Saturday with a 4-0 victory against Bolivia. Clarke used this match to give most of his squad valuable playing time.
Norway used their friendly against Morocco to test their tactics. Morocco will face Scotland in Group C when the tournament begins.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off next week. Norway begin their Group I campaign against Iraq on Tuesday. Scotland will play Haiti three days earlier in their opening Group C fixture.