Marc Guehi is expected to be fit to start England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, with John Stones set to partner him in central defence.
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Key facts
- Marc Guehi has won his fitness race and is expected to be fit for the quarter-final, according to the BBC.
- John Stones is set to play alongside Guehi in central defence.
- England face Norway in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final.
- Kick-off is 5pm EDT / 10pm BST / 7am AEST, per the Guardian.
- England won their first five games against Norway between 1937 and 1980 by a cumulative 24-2.
England appear set to have Marc Guehi available for their World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway. According to the BBC, the central defender has won his fitness race and is expected to be fit for the fixture.
The BBC reports that John Stones is set to play alongside Guehi at the heart of England’s defence, suggesting the pairing will anchor the backline for the knockout tie.
The Guardian’s live coverage lists kick-off at 5pm EDT, 10pm BST and 7am AEST, and pointed readers towards its player guide, bracketology and Golden Boot features ahead of the match.
The meeting carries plenty of history between the two nations. The Guardian notes that England won their first five games against Norway, between 1937 and 1980, to a cumulative score of 24-2.
The outlet recalled that Norway’s first victory against England, in September 1981, prompted commentator Bjorge Lillelien’s famous on-air rant, and highlighted an account of that moment written by Lars Sivertsen.
Results have been tighter in the years since. According to the Guardian, England hold two wins to one over Norway across six subsequent meetings, with three draws, but Norway’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Oslo in 1993 lingers longest, a result the paper links to the beginning of the end for then-England manager Graham Taylor.
Why it matters
Team selection in central defence is a key talking point heading into a World Cup knockout match, and Guehi's expected fitness gives England a settled partnership with Stones. For fans, a quarter-final against a rival with a memorable shared history raises the stakes of an already high-profile fixture.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marc Guehi fit to play against Norway?
According to the BBC, Guehi has won his fitness race and is expected to be fit for England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
Who is expected to play in central defence for England?
The BBC reports that John Stones is set to play alongside Marc Guehi at the heart of England's defence.
What time does the England v Norway quarter-final kick off?
The Guardian lists kick-off at 5pm EDT, 10pm BST and 7am AEST.
Timeline
- Pick your England XI for World Cup semi-final
BBC Sport: England are through to the World Cup semi-finals, but who would you pick in your starting XI?
- Guehi and Stones set to start for England in World Cup quarter-final
BBC Sport: Marc Guehi has won his fitness race and is expected to be fit for England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, with John Stones set to play alongside the central defender.
- Norway v England: World Cup 2026 quarter-final – live
The Guardian Sport: ⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm EDT/10pm BST/7am AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Scott England won their first five games against Norway, between 1937 and 1980, to the cumulative score of 24-2. No wonder, then, that the commentator Bjørge Lillelien went off on