Norway's FA chief welcomes Israel peace deal ahead of World Cup qualifier

VIDEO SHOWS: COMMENTS FROM NORWEGIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT, LISEKLAVENESS, NORWAY TEAM TRAINING, COMMENTS FROM NORWAY COACH, STALE SOLBAKKEN AND STRIKER, ALEXANDER SORLOTH RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: OSLO, NORWAY (OCTOBER 10, 2025)(TV2  – No use Norway. No use Russia) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORWEGIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT, LISE KLAVENESS, SAYING:     “Football matters, perhaps more than ever, when the world around us is facing difficult times. And that is why the Norwegian Football Federation and also everyone, has a responsibility to ensure that Ullevaal remains a safe and respectful arena for everyone who comes to experience the game tomorrow. It is a football match we're playing, a very important one for both federations. Nevertheless, the backdrop of this game is special and well-known to everyone here. Neither we nor any other organisation can be indifferent to the extreme humanitarian suffering unfolding in the backdrop of this game.” 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE)(English) NORWEGIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT LISE KLAVENESS, SAYING:     “For us, football and a possibility to reach the World Cup are hugely important. But in a broader perspective, football becomes secondary. There is now a glimmer of hope. The first phase of a peace plan has been signed. And our sincere hope is that the bombing of Gaza will stop, that humanitarian aid, food and water, will reach those in need, and that the Israeli hostages will return safely home. Much work remains before we can speak of any lasting peace, of course. But my job and the job of any leaders in any organization now in this initial phase is to give this plan energy and momentum. But right now, our focus is, of course, the World Cup qualifier game tomorrow, and it's important for us to protect our players and coaching staff so that they can focus fully on football." 4. (MUTE) NORWAY PLAYERS TRAINING 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Norwegian) NORWAY COACH, STALE SOLBAKKEN, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT 6)     “Now we just have to hope that we get a good football match and that we can concentrate on that. And then it looks like there are good things happening in the big picture.” 6. (MUTE) SOLBAKKEN WATCHING ON DURING TRAINING SESSION 7. (MUTE) TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Norwegian) NORWAY STRIKER, ALEXANDER SORLOTH, SAYING:  (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT 9)     “You enter a kind of bubble at the national team meeting, so for me it's no problem to look forward to the game, but I think it's fun to train with the boys. I like playing cards with the boys and having fun at the meeting, so I'm just looking forward to the game now.” 9. (MUTE) SORLOTH AT TRAINING 10. (MUTE) NORWAY PLAYERS TRAINING  STORY: Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klavenesson on Friday (October 19) welcomed a peace deal between Israel and Hamas ahead of Norway’s vital World Cup qualifier against Israel on Saturday (October 11).     The two countries governing bodies have been at odds after the Norwegian FA said in August it would donate profits from ticket sales from Saturday's game to support the work of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, prompting criticism from the Israelis.     Israel's government ratified the ceasefire with Hamas in the early hours of Friday morning, clearing the way to suspend hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and free Israeli hostages held there within 72 hours after that.     “There is now a glimmer of hope. The first phase of a peace plan has been signed. And our sincere hope is that the bombing of Gaza will stop, that humanitarian aid, food and water, will reach those in need, and that the Israeli hostages will return safely home,” Klavenesson told a press conference.     The Group I match will be played at the Norway national team's home Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo amid heightened security measures.     No fan zone will be set up, with the capacity reduced to about 3,000 and the roads around the Ullevaal closed off several hours before kick-off.     A protest in Oslo has been announced by the Norwegian Palestine Committee to coincide with the match.     Norway's men's team, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, top the five-team group on 15 points, six ahead of third-placed Israel, who are behind Italy on goal difference.     (Production: Ilze Filks)

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