08.07.2026 12:40
At the NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara, UK Prime Minister Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Store met in their jerseys before the World Cup quarter-final match, engaging in a humorous dialogue.
The 36th NATO Leaders Summit, hosted by Türkiye in Ankara, featured not only a critical security agenda but also heartwarming moments in the diplomacy corridors. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store came together before the summit sessions, wearing their countries' national team jerseys, and shook hands ahead of the upcoming World Cup quarterfinal match.
SINCERE POSES FROM TWO LEADERS
In a video shared by Norwegian Prime Minister Store on his social media account, the two leaders joked with each other in the garden of the British Embassy in Ankara, ahead of the match between England and Norway, who will face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.
The two leaders shook hands in the embassy garden in Ankara, wearing their teams' jerseys, ahead of the quarterfinal match between England and Norway scheduled for Saturday, July 11, as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
VERBAL SPARRING BEFORE THE MATCH
Starting the conversation by recalling the unforgettable football rivalry between the two countries, Store said, "45 years ago, Norway beat England in the World Cup qualifiers. The radio announcer said, 'Margaret Thatcher (former British Prime Minister), can you hear me? Your boys took a hell of a beating.'"
Starmer responded to this reference with a political joke. Reminding that England won its only World Cup title in 1966 under a Labour Party government, Starmer said, "But there's something you didn't mention: England only won the World Cup under a Labour government. So, this time it's our turn."
After Store replied, "We'll see. It will be a great match," the two leaders wished each other success and ended the conversation.
The footage of the sincere exchange amid the intense diplomatic traffic in Ankara quickly went viral on social media. The leaders gathered in Ankara for the NATO Leaders Summit are addressing many critical topics, including the alliance's defense spending, the war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and European security.