Watch: Keir Starmer and Jonas Gahr Støre exchange playful World Cup banter ahead of England-Norway quarter-final

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (video) Diplomacy took a footballing turn as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre exchanged hilarious barbs ahead of their FIFA World Cup quarter-final match, with the two leaders posing in their national jerseys during a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey.The friendly exchange quickly caught the attention of football fans, which also saw Støre mimicking Norway’s now-famous ‘Roar’ celebration, a gesture that has become synonymous with the Scandinavian side’s remarkable run to the last eight.England and Norway will meet in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Miami on July 11, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Premiers revive historic rivalry with football pranks

Standing side-by-side in England and Norway shirts, the two leaders mixed politics with football history as they watched the sensational clash.Støre reminded Starmer of one of the most famous moments in Norwegian football history.“I can say, you know, 45 years ago, Norway played England in a qualifier and we won. And the radio commentator said, ‘Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your lads have taken a bloody beating,'” Støre said.WATCH: The Norwegian leader also urged England not to underestimate his country’s side, who became one of the surprises of the tournament after knocking out five-time champions Brazil.However, Starmer had a witty response ready.“Yeah, but what you’re missing is that England only won the World Cup under Labor governments – 1966. So the time is ours,” Starmer replied.To make matters worse, Støre signed the exchange with a smile, saying: “Wait and see. It’s going to be a great match. Nice to see you.”

Norway upset again after shock in Brazil

The light-hearted exchange reflected the growing excitement around the quarter-finals, which few predicted before the tournament.Norway stunned football powerhouse Brazil with a 2-1 victory in the round of 16 to book their place in the last 16, continuing one of the most impressive underdog stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Meanwhile, England survived a tough test against co-hosts Mexico to reach the quarter-finals in a thrilling 3-2 clash.While the political leaders exchanged jokes and smiles in Istanbul, the two teams will now turn their attention to Miami, where the banter will give way to high-level football.