FIFA rejects Norway protest after England 2-1 win

England's progression to the FIFA World Cup semifinals has been overshadowed by a major officiating controversy following their 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in a quarterfinal match on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The match, played at Miami Stadium, saw England come from behind with two goals from Jude Bellingham, but the circumstances surrounding his first-half equalizer have ignited a fierce dispute.

Norway had taken the lead in the 36th minute through Andreas Schjelderup. Shortly before halftime, Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland launched a long goal kick. Television replays appeared to show the ball making contact with a cable connected to an overhead "Spidercam" system suspended above the pitch, altering its trajectory before it fell to England's Elliott Anderson. Anderson quickly passed to Anthony Gordon, who assisted Bellingham for the equalizing goal in the 45th minute.

According to the International Football Association Board's Laws of the Game, play must be restarted with a dropped ball if the ball touches an outside agent, which includes overhead camera equipment. Norwegian players immediately protested the goal, with Nyland and Erling Haaland gesturing toward the...