<p>OSLO, Norway — Norway’s national soccer team will play its first “home” World Cup qualifying game at a neutral venue in Spain next month because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.fotball.no/landslag/norge-a-herrer/2021/norge—tyrkia-spilles-i-spania/">Norwegian soccer federation said Tuesday</a> the game against Turkey on March 27 will be played in Malaga instead of Oslo. No fans will be allowed to attend.</p>
<p>Norway will begin its World Cup qualifying program with a game at Gibraltar on March 24 before going to Spain to play Turkey three days later. The group also includes the Netherlands.</p>
<p>The change in venue is the first in European qualifying to be forced by travel and quarantine rules.</p>
<p>In Asia, only four World Cup qualifiers are going ahead next month — involving only eight of the 40 teams still involved. The rest of the program has been postponed to June because of current health protocols.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-soccer-world-cup-sports-europe-coronavirus-pandemic-soccer-43d009dca2000e50379e7698e754d621">FIFA has extended exemptions in mandatory release rules</a> amid the pandemic so players worldwide can be refused permission by their clubs to join up with national teams.</p>
<p>Norwegian club Molde played a Europa League home game in Spain last week, hosting Hoffenheim in Villarreal. The Spanish soccer federation had to approve both changes.</p>
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