Norway to open ‘home’ 2022 qualifying campaign in Spain, against Turkey

February 25 – Norway will play its first ‘home’ World Cup qualifier on neutral venue in Spain next month because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Norwegian football federation say the game against Turkey on March 27 will be played in Malaga instead of Oslo. No fans will be allowed to attend.

Norway begin their World Cup qualifying programme with a game at Gibraltar on March 24 before going to Spain to play Turkey three days later. The group also includes the Netherlands.

The change in venue is the first in European qualifying to be forced by travel and quarantine rules.

Norwegian club Molde played a Europa League home game in Spain last week, hosting Hoffenheim in Villarreal. The Spanish soccer federation had to approve that as well.

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