Chess legend Magnus Carlsen hopes Norway’s return to World Cup ‘will be new normal’ for team

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.

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