WHAT WAS CLAIMED
Norway has refused to play Israel in the World Cup 26 qualifiers.
OUR VERDICT
False. Norway’s Football Association criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza but has not indicated it will boycott any matches.
AAP FACTCHECK – False claims are circulating online that Norway's national football team has announced it will refuse to play against Israel in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Several social media posts have misrepresented criticism from the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) of Israel's actions in Gaza as a decision to boycott the nation's qualifying game against Israel.
"The Norwegian national football team will refuse to play against Israel in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for Europe and will forfeit the match instead," one Facebook user posted along with an image of the Norwegian national team.