[Saba Sports News] According to Norwegian newspaper VG, the chefs of Norway’s national team will ship 116 kilograms of brunost (Norwegian brown cheese) and 300 kilograms of salmon to the United States as the side prepares for the World Cup. It is reported the chefs kicked off their World Cup preparation back in November last year. They have to design match-day menus for a travelling party of over 60 people, with four meals scheduled daily throughout June and potentially lasting until mid-July. The catering plan requires a varied food selection, with some ingredients sourced exclusively from Norway.
Esperan, a member of the culinary crew, said the team is also bringing 6,000 oranges to the US. When talking about logistics and transportation, Esperan noted that flying half a ton of fish across the Atlantic is far from an easy task. To tackle the hassle, the crew opted against bulk one-off purchases and will restock provisions in separate shipments.
Buffet-style dining will be available every day for players, who can pick from potatoes, pasta or rice as staple carbs. Dinners centre around fish and chicken, alongside tacos and large cuts of roasted meat.
In my view, Norway’s decision to ship native food ingredients to the US for the 2026 World Cup stems from dual concerns over cultural belonging and athletic nutrition, essentially extending their home-field perks. Familiar homemade cuisine helps athletes stay in optimal form amid unfamiliar surroundings. This practice mirrors Japan bringing miso and South Korea packing kimchi, amounting to no publicity stunt or special privilege.