Diplomacy took a turn for the worse as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre exchanged light lips in front of their respective countries. FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match, with the two leaders wearing their national team jerseys at a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey.The friendly exchange caught the attention of football fans, which also saw Støre mimicking Norway’s famous ‘Roar’ celebration, which has become synonymous with the Scandinavian scene in the last eight.England and Norway meet in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Miami on July 11, with a place in the semifinals at stake.
The PMs have revived an old feud with the footballers
Standing side by side in England and Norway jerseys, the two leaders mixed politics and football history as they looked ahead to the blockbuster.Støre reminded Starmer of one of the most famous moments in Norwegian football history.“I would say, you know, 45 years ago, Norway played England in the qualifiers and we won. And the commentator on the radio said, ‘Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your boys have been caught in hell,'” said Støre.SEE: The Norwegian boss also urged England not to underestimate his country’s side, which has been one of the surprises of the tournament after sending off five players from Brazil.Starmer, however, had some clever answers ready.“Yeah, but what you’re leaving out is that England only won the World Cup under Labor governments – 1966. So the time is ours,” Starmer replied.At least, Støre signed the exchange with a smile, saying: “Wait and see. It’s going to be a good match. I’m glad to see you.”
Norway has yet another challenge after Brazil’s shock
The light exchanges reflected the growing excitement around the quarterfinals that few predicted before the tournament.Norway stunned Brazilian footballers with a 2-1 victory in the Round of 16 to book their place in the last eight, continuing the impressive story of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.England, meanwhile, survived a tough test against rivals Mexico, with a thrilling 3-2 victory to reach the quarterfinals.While the political leaders traded jokes and smiles in Istanbul, both teams now turn to Miami, where the banter will provide the highest level of football.