Fredrik André Bjørkan has stepped away from Norway’s national team indefinitely due to belastninger. National team manager Ståle Solbakken confirmed the decision on September 10, noting that the left-back struggles to recover between club and international fixtures.
Fatigue and Recovery Struggles Force Indefinite Break
Bodø/Glimt defender Fredrik André Bjørkan has informed national team management that he is unavailable for selection for the foreseeable future. National team manager Ståle Solbakken confirmed the decision to NRK, explaining that the player experiences ongoing difficulties recovering between demanding club commitments and international duty.
The announcement arrived on September 10, just 45 minutes before Bodø/Glimt’s opening Champions League fixture of the season against Bayern München in Germany. Solbakken stated that he also consulted with Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen regarding the situation.
For Bjørkan, the physical toll stems from managing a high-frequency match calendar. The 28-year-old left-back from Bodø has previously been open about living with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), a functional bowel condition combining abdominal pain and bowel changes.
Previous Breaks and Precedent Within the National Squad
Stepping away from international duty is not entirely new during Solbakken’s tenure as manager. Benfica midfielder Fredrik Aursnes similarly stepped down from the national team in March 2024 to prioritize other aspects of life and secure more personal freedom, before making a comeback during the fotball-VM two years later.
Bjørkan himself has navigated a similar rhythm before. During the first half of 2025, the Bodø/Glimt profile opted out of national team selections before returning to the squad in the autumn. His latest pause follows a summer campaign where he earned his 22nd international appearance and his first tournament minutes, playing 45 minutes in a 1-4 defeat against France while spending the remainder of the tournament as backup to David Møller Wolfe.
Impact on Bodø/Glimt and Upcoming National Fixtures
At the club level, leadership views the international pause with pragmatic optimism. Bodø/Glimt sporting director Håvard Sakariassen indicated that the decision holds minimal disruption for the club, suggesting instead that any effect would be positive by leaving a player even more focused and prepared for club duties.
Bjørkan immediately lined up in the starting eleven for Bodø/Glimt’s high-stakes Champions League clash against Bayern München. Meanwhile, Norway’s national squad faces an upcoming international window without him. Between September 24 and October 5, the team is scheduled to play a home fixture against Denmark, an away match against Wales, and both home and away encounters against Portugal.
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