why Norway brought its own food to WC?
New York, June 25: Claims circulating on social media that Norway’s football team brought food from home for the FIFA World Cup because it distrusts the quality of food in the United States have been dismissed by team officials and nutrition experts.
Norway, which is competing in its first World Cup since 1998, has shipped a selection of food products from home to its training base in Greensboro, North Carolina. However, the move was aimed at maintaining consistency in the players’ diets rather than avoiding American food.Team chef Aron Espeland said familiar products and flavours help players maintain their nutritional routines and overall well-being during a demanding tournament. He added that the squad had also made extensive use of high-quality local ingredients available in the United States.According to Espeland, the team brought around 580 kilograms of food from Norway, including salmon, trout, halibut and traditional cheeses. He also rejected social media claims that the squad imported oranges, noting that fresh oranges sourced locally in the United States are used to prepare juice for players each morning.Sports nutrition experts said such arrangements are common among elite teams competing abroad. They explained that travelling with familiar ingredients and dedicated chefs helps athletes maintain consistency in their diet, recovery and performance while reducing unnecessary changes during major tournaments.Similar practices have been followed by several national teams at previous World Cups. Argentina and Uruguay transported large quantities of meat to Qatar in 2022, while the United States team carried familiar food products to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.Experts stressed that the decision was driven by performance requirements rather than concerns over food standards in the host country.While the viral claims have sparked debate online, team officials and nutrition experts maintain that Norway’s approach is standard practice in elite sport. As the Scandinavians continue their impressive World Cup campaign, the focus remains firmly on their performances on the pitch rather than the contents of their kitchen, with familiar food serving as a tool to maximise player comfort, recovery and performance during the tournament. (Agencies)
