Norway winger Alexander Sorloth faces online threats after World Cup exit

By Priya Nair — 13 July 2026 — 4 min read

Alexander Sorloth, a winger for Norway, and his partner, Lena Selnes, have reportedly received online abuse, including death threats and calls to suicide. This backlash followed Norway’s 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The online criticism stems from a moment in the 44th minute of the first half of the match.

During this critical play, with Norway leading 1-0, Sorloth received a pass on a counter-attack. He chose to shoot rather than pass to an open Erling Haaland. Sorloth’s shot was blocked, and England later equalized within 90 minutes. Jude Bellingham then scored the winning goal in extra time, ending Norway’s tournament run.

Selnes shared some of the comments her partner received on Instagram. One comment reportedly stated, "Tell ur husband to leave Norway and jump from a cliff," while another read, "Gonna kill him." Former England striker Alan Shearer commented that England was fortunate to secure a draw in regular time, suggesting Sorloth should have passed to Haaland earlier.

Sorloth’s Explanation and Online Reaction

Following the defeat, Sorloth addressed the decision not to pass the ball to Haaland in a press conference. He explained that his initial intention was to find Haaland, but he felt the pass would have been blocked by defenders. "I take a touch and look up, and then I see that Stones blocks that pass. Then I take another touch, and that is too bad. I wait for him to make a move instead of me making him make a move. The only thing I want in that situation there is to pass to Erling. Then it feels like that pass isn’t there, and then I go for the shot," Sorloth stated.

The Atletico Madrid striker told VG that the defeat felt particularly heavy because it occurred in the world’s biggest football tournament. He acknowledged that he wished he could have performed better in that moment, but expressed confidence that new opportunities would arise. Despite this, he noted the natural weight of the loss on such a significant stage, especially as Norway was competing for a spot in the World Cup semi-finals.

Online commentators were critical of Sorloth’s decision, with many calling him "stupid," "an idiot," and "selfish." Some suggested that his entire World Cup performance would be remembered for this specific choice to not pass to Haaland.

Haaland Unfollow Rumour Debunked

Amidst the discussions surrounding the match, a social media claim circulated that Erling Haaland had unfollowed Alexander Sorloth on Instagram. This claim gained traction due to the controversial missed pass during the game. However, a closer examination revealed that this viral post was untrue. Haaland continues to follow Sorloth on Instagram, and there is no evidence of any tension or fallout between the two Norway teammates.

The claim originated from a social media account that identified itself as a parody. Haaland’s Instagram following list still includes Sorloth, confirming that the unfollow story was false. Similarly, there is no indication that Sorloth has unfollowed Haaland or taken any public action suggesting a strained relationship.

The missed opportunity against England remains a significant talking point among fans and pundits. Many supporters believed a simple pass to Haaland could have resulted in another goal for Norway, potentially increasing pressure on England. The decision drew criticism after the match, with fans expressing their frustration on Sorloth’s social media accounts. England ultimately scored a late equalizer, forcing extra time, and after Haaland was substituted, Bellingham scored the winning goal, concluding Norway’s historic run in the tournament.

Norway’s Historic World Cup Journey

Norway’s performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup marked a historic achievement for the nation’s football. The team shattered previous national records, reaching their deepest-ever stage in the tournament. Led by captain Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, the "Vikings" garnered international attention by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout matches. They defeated Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and Brazil in the Round of 16.

Haaland and Odegaard were central figures in the team’s success. Haaland scored seven goals during the tournament, while Odegaard completed 102 passes in the final third. The "Viking Row" also became a viral fan ritual during the World Cup, with thousands of supporters participating in the synchronized chant and imaginary rowing motion.

Source: theprint.in