Team Norway has reportedly imported 1,276 pounds of food from their country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here Norway’s forward Erling Haaland (#9) is in action during the FIFA World Cup 26 Round of 32 match against Côte d’Ivoire on June 30, 2026 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There has been speculation online about Team Norway’s decision to bring 1,276 pounds of food from Norway for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Greensboro, North Carolina. However, this choice is likely based on performance-related reasons rather than distrust of American food.
Team Norway, often referred to as the Vikings, has been performing well in its first World Cup appearance since 1998. They secured second place in Group I behind France and advanced to the Round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. They are set to face Brazil next. The Viking rowing ritual performed by Norwegian fans has also gained popularity online.
Some social media users have interpreted Norway’s food import as a critique of American cuisine, but this is likely not the case.
Team Norway Has Not Shipped All Of Its Food
Team Norway is still consuming some American food. The imported food from Norway mainly consists of seafood, including 660 pounds of salmon and trout and 220 pounds of halibut, as reported by Melissa Goldin for the Associated Press. They have also brought 176 pounds of Norwegian brown cheese and 220 pounds of Jarlsberg cheese. Despite the imports, the team sources other foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats locally.
Claims have surfaced online about Norway importing oranges, but Aron Espeland, the team’s head chef, clarified to Goldin that they enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice made from U.S.-grown oranges.
Norway Isn’t The First Team To Ship In Food For The World Cup
Bringing food from home is not unique to Team Norway. For instance, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Italy brought parmesan cheese, olive oil, and prosciutto to Brazil. Mexico brought ingredients for traditional dishes, and the U.S. included items like A1 Steak Sauce and peanut butter.
Similar practices have been seen in other World Cups and sporting events. In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina and Uruguay shipped around 4,000 pounds of meat, while the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee planned specialized cooking facilities for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team Norway’s Actions Highlight The Role Nutrition Plays In Sports
Norway’s fans do the Viking row during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between Norway and Senegal at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 22, 2026. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
The focus on nutrition in sports is increasingly important. Teams and athletes use tailored food strategies to enhance performance. NCAA Division I programs and professional sports teams often provide specialized high-performance menus. Some athletes follow specific diets, with varying levels of scientific support, as illustrated by the diet of Tom Brady during his football career.
Effective sports nutrition involves adequate hydration, complex carbohydrates for energy, lean proteins for muscle repair, healthy fats for hormonal balance, and avoiding heavily processed foods.
Teams Like Norway Are Trying to Re-Create Home Conditions
Norway’s decision to import food is also about maintaining consistency in their diet, reducing the risk of adverse reactions to unfamiliar foods. Teams aim to avoid potential issues like sluggishness or digestive discomfort by sticking to familiar foods.
For those questioning Norway’s import of 1,276 pounds of food, not the exaggerated 2,000 pounds, it’s important to understand their preference for familiar and reliable food. As the Norwegian saying goes, “Å ta det for god fisk,” which means to accept something as true without questioning it, Team Norway simply seeks the comfort of known foods like fish and cheese.
