FIFA says England‑Norway World Cup goal was not affected by spider‑cam cable

In the quarter‑final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, England levelled the match against Norway in first‑half injury time through a Jude Bellingham strike. Norwegian players and coach Ståle Solbakken immediately protested, claiming the ball had struck a spider‑cam cable suspended above the pitch, which under the Laws of the Game would have required the play to be stopped and the goal disallowed.

FIFA reviewed data from the “Connected Ball” sensor that records any external impact on the ball. In a statement posted on X the organisation said: “Before the goal of England in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball did not show any peak in the ‘heartbeat of the ball’ while it was in the air, therefore there is no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire or altered its trajectory.”

With the technology confirming no interference, the goal was upheld. England later won 2‑1 after extra time and advanced to the semi‑finals, while Norway’s appeal was rejected.