Norway's women's team faces pressure after a bumpy World Cup start. Coach Hege Riise is dealing with visible frustration from key players.
On 25 July 2023, Norway played Switzerland in their second match of the World Cup, needing a result after an opening loss to New Zealand. The team felt clear pressure to win to keep its tournament hopes alive.
Several top players, including Ingrid Engen and Caroline Graham Hansen, began the match on the bench and entered in the second half. Hansen publicly showed frustration with the coach's choices, which highlighted tensions inside the squad.
Hege Riise is widely known in Norway for her long, successful playing career and for later moving into coaching. Her status as a former star added surprise when players openly criticized tactical decisions during the tournament.
Riise debuted for the national team in 1990 and played a key role in Norway’s major successes in the 1990s and 2000. She won the World Cup and European titles and helped the team win Olympic medals, earning a strong legacy as a player.
After retiring from playing, Riise moved into coaching, holding several roles including assistant and head coach posts. She became Norway’s head coach in 2022 with a brief to rebuild the team, but her early time in charge included public and sporting challenges.
