Norway Soccer Team’s World Cup Dietary Practices Clarified

As Norway makes a strong impression in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, false reports about the team’s diet have gained attention online. These claims suggest a mistrust of American food quality, alleging that the Norwegian team brought its own food to avoid consuming local fare.

Addressing Misinformation

The Norwegian team is currently based in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Although it’s true the team imported specific products from Norway, the reason is not related to concerns about food quality.

Clarifying the Claims

The assertion that Norway’s men’s national soccer team doesn’t trust American food quality is false. Aron Espeland, the team’s head chef, explained that importing certain products from Norway helps maintain dietary consistency and provides players with familiar flavors.

“When athletes compete at the highest level, consistency is important,” Espeland said. “Players are accustomed to certain products and flavors, which aid both nutrition and overall well-being in demanding competitions.”

Espeland further described the experience of cooking for the team in the U.S. as excellent, emphasizing access to high-quality local ingredients. The culinary approach combines Norwegian products with local elements to foster continuity and comfort for players.

Unpacking Online Claims

Social media claims stated the team imported 1,000 kilograms of food from Norway, though Espeland confirmed the actual amount is around 580 kilograms. This includes 300 kilograms of Norwegian salmon and trout, 100 kilograms of halibut, 80 kilograms of brown cheese, and 100 kilograms of Jarlsberg cheese. The rumor of Norwegian oranges is false; the team enjoys freshly squeezed orange juice from locally sourced U.S. oranges.

Why Teams Bring Their Own Food

Bringing familiar foods is common among international competitors. For instance, Argentina and Uruguay transported thousands of pounds of meat to Qatar in 2022. The U.S. team brought oatmeal, Cheerios, peanut butter, and A1 Steak Sauce to Brazil in 2014.

Nutrition experts highlight the rationale behind these practices: maintaining routine and consistency, mitigating the risk of adverse reactions, providing cultural comfort, and accommodating personal preferences.

“Interpreting this practice as a lack of trust in the host nation’s food misunderstands the purpose of high-performance nutrition,” said Rafaela G. Feresin, a nutrition associate professor at Georgia State University.

The goal is not to appraise local food quality, but to avoid unnecessary variability. Amy Goodson, a sports dietitian, states that the focus is on “control, consistency, and performance” rather than distrust.

For elite athletes, nutrition directly affects energy, hydration, recovery, immune function, and decision-making. In high-stakes competitions, consistent nutrition supports optimal performance.

Find more AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.