JAKARTA —-— Amid the resounding cheers of victory following Norway’s 5-0 rout of Israel in a 2026 World Cup qualifier held in Oslo on Saturday (October 11, 2025), the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) announced that all proceeds from the match would be channeled to aid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank through Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders.
It was decided that all proceeds from the match would be channeled toward humanitarian aid in Gaza. According to Anadolu Agency, this decision was made amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the healthcare system is under immense strain due to the destruction of medical facilities, limited supplies of medicine, and a growing number of casualties requiring treatment.
The funds raised will be used to provide medicines, surgical supplies, ambulance operations, the construction of emergency clinics, and to support logistical needs and emergency aid for civilians affected by the conflict.
NFF President Lise Klaveness emphasized that soccer cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of civilians. The funds will be used to support medical services and emergency aid for the people of Gaza.
“This match is taking place amid a situation marked by unimaginable human suffering. We cannot remain indifferent to this,” said Klaveness.
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According to the NFF, ticket sales generated approximately 522,000 Norwegian kroner. The federation then contributed an additional 1 million kroner from its internal funds, bringing the initial total aid to 1.5 million kroner.
This decision has also received support from various sectors in Norway. A number of Norwegian companies and investors have contributed approximately 3 million kroner, bringing the total funds raised to 4.5 million kroner, or about Rp8.26 billion.
The NFF’s decision was met with a positive response from many quarters, including fans in attendance at the stadium and a number of international groups who view soccer as a medium for promoting humanitarian values.
However, the move also drew criticism from the Israel Football Association (IFA), which questioned the political neutrality of official FIFA matches. In response, the NFF emphasized that the action was based purely on humanitarian considerations and was intended to help civilians, without any connection to political interests or the outcome of the match.
In an official statement released on July 15, 2026, the NFF reiterated that this aid is part of Norwegian soccer’s commitment to humanitarian values.
“Soccer has the power to unite and help others. We hope these funds can ease the burden on those in need,” read the federation’s official statement on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
On the other hand, Norway also had a commendable run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team, led by Erling Haaland, managed to return to the finals after a long wait of nearly three decades. They even advanced to the quarterfinals after eliminating Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and defeating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16, before ultimately being eliminated by England in extra time.
Although they failed to reach the semifinals, this run stands as one of Norway’s greatest achievements on the world soccer stage in recent decades.
Success on the field goes hand in hand with the stance the federation takes off the field. Through its fundraising campaign for Gaza, the NFF has emphasized that soccer is not just about competition and achievement, but can also serve as a platform for building solidarity and raising awareness of humanitarian crises.
Behind the goal-scoring spree and the euphoria of the 2026 World Cup, Norway’s greatest victory may not have been achieved solely on the scoreboard, but rather through its commitment to humanitarian values. After all, when sports can bring hope to those who have lost everything, soccer transcends the boundaries of a mere game. Show your solidarity with Palestine at digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/daruratpalestina. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini, Getty Images
Editor: Dhika