Norway manager Stale Solbakken has branded Scotland boss Steve Clarke 'unprofessional' after the Scots cancelled a closed-doors training match ahead of the World Cup. The spat emerged as both nations prepare for their tournament openers, with Norway facing Iraq in Group I and Scotland taking on Haiti in Group C.

Former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, Norway's team manager, revealed they had based their preparations on the cancelled friendly for months. Their training base in Greensboro sits roughly 90 miles from Scotland's camp in Charlotte, making the fixture logistically straightforward.

Scotland's final public warm-up saw them defeat Bolivia 4-0 on Saturday, with Clarke rotating his squad extensively. Hangeland called the late cancellation 'embarrassing' and criticised the breakdown of 'gentlemen's agreements' between the associations.

The controversy adds tension to international football's pre-tournament preparations. While Norway must quickly adjust their plans, both teams face opening matches that will determine their World Cup trajectory.