Magnus Carlsen Hopes Norway's World Cup Return Becomes 'New Normal'
L'essentiel
- Chess champion Magnus Carlsen expressed hope that Norway's return to the World Cup after 28 years will become a regular occurrence, calling it "the new normal" for the national team.
- Carlsen, attending championships in Hong Kong, reminisced about his childhood dreams of Norway being a consistent football force.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Magnus Carlsen, a renowned chess champion and avid football fan, is currently in Hong Kong for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. He grew up with dreams of Norway being a consistent international football force.
The man widely regarded as the greatest to ever master the chessboard said he hoped Norway’s return to the World Cup “will be the new normal” for the international team.
Magnus Carlsen – an avid Real Madrid fan – also shared his excitement at Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu for a second stint.
Currently in Hong Kong for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, which finish on Sunday, Carlsen revealed he had grown up envisaging Norway as an international football force.
“We went to the World Cup in 1994. I was a little bit too young to follow them, but then in 1998 and the 2000 European Championship, I followed a lot and thought we’re going to be here every time,” the 35-year-old from Tonsberg said. “I thought this was normal, but it turned out it wasn’t.
“This time, everybody is incredibly excited for us. Maybe this will be the new normal. It certainly isn’t just yet, but we’re all just super excited.”
With his native country playing in their first World Cup in 28 years, the Norwegian world No 1 told the South China Morning Post why the global football showpiece in France in 1998 and Hong Kong are so special to him.
Questions ouvertes
- Will Norway qualify for future World Cups?
- How will this World Cup participation impact Norwegian football?
