Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has played down a locker-room video that appeared to target Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Sunday’s World Cup last-16 meeting between the two nations. Solbakken insisted the clip—released by the Norwegian football federation—was meant as light-hearted humour and had been taken out of context.
The footage shows Solbakken delivering an impassioned message to his squad after their 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire. It ends with the line: “… and wait, Carlo Ancelotti, we are coming for you!”
Quick facts
- Solbakken addressed Ancelotti ahead of Norway’s World Cup last-16 clash with Brazil.
- The video was published by the Norwegian football federation.
- It followed Norway’s 2-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire.
- The clip’s final line was: “… and wait, Carlo Ancelotti, we are coming for you!”
- Solbakken said the gesture was not meant as provocation and was a joke taken out of context.
Speaking to reporters, Solbakken said the message was as far from a personal challenge as possible, praising Ancelotti as one of Europe’s most accomplished managers. He added that he has the “greatest respect” for the Italian, noting he has met him previously during Champions League ties involving FC Copenhagen against Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Solbakken also pointed to the history between himself and Brazil, recalling that he was part of the Norway squad which defeated the South American side in the group stage in 1998. However, he argued that the result from decades ago is irrelevant to the task facing his team on Sunday.
“I think that Brazil are finding their feet, gradually getting better and better and they have strong players in all positions,” Solbakken said. He stressed that Norway are looking forward to the challenge, even with Brazil entering the tie as the clear favourites.
He acknowledged Brazil’s wider tournament credentials, describing them as a serious contender to lift the trophy. But Solbakken framed the last-16 tie as a moment Norway must seize, saying that meeting Brazil now makes it “our destiny” and that his team will need to perform at their highest level.
Norway’s momentum has been driven by Erling Haaland’s goals, and Solbakken’s side have earned plaudits for advancing from their group and securing Norway’s first World Cup knockout win. Their breakthrough came against Côte d’Ivoire, setting up what Solbakken expects to be a difficult test for Ancelotti’s team.
Solbakken reiterated that Brazil are favourites while insisting Norway’s goal is not simply to compete, but to win. “We’re hopeful that we will give them a match,” he said, adding: “we are not playing the game for fun—we are playing to win the game and to go into the quarter-finals.”
He concluded by emphasising that, despite his respect for the Brazilian coach and squad’s progress so far, anything can happen once the match begins on Sunday—especially in a knockout setting.
