​Erling Haaland is, without a doubt, the breakout star of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Social media feeds are flooded with highlights and memes of the Norway striker, and fans can’t get enough. Even though Norway is no longer in the running for the title, Erling’s popularity continues to soar as people everywhere want to know more about their new favorite soccer player.Born on July 21, 2000, in England, Erling is the son of former professional athletes Alf-Inge “Alfie” Haaland and Gry Marita Braut. He grew up in Bryne, Norway, alongside his siblings Gabrielle and Astor. Erling also has two younger half-sisters from his father’s second marriage to Anita Haaland Strømsvol.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore from StyleCasterActually Cute FIFA World Cup Merch That We’d Wear Beyond Match DayErling Haaland Merch Is Here & It’s Epically UnhingedCurious to learn more about Erling’s parents? Read on for everything you need to know, including details about their illustrious careers and their close relationship with Erling.Erling’s father, Alfie, began his soccer career as a young child in the late 1970s. A few years later, he signed his first professional contract and eventually moved to England to play for Nottingham Forest.By 1997, Alfie was playing for Leeds United and was part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals during the 1999–2000 season. In 2000, he joined Manchester City but retired just three years later due to a left knee injury. Alfie briefly came out of retirement in 2011 to play for the Bryne-based team Rosseland. He retired for the second and final time in 2013.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: The 14 Best Clear Bags to Wear to the 2026 FIFA World Cup That Are Actually StylishAt the time of writing, Erling plays for Manchester City. In an August 2022 interview with The Athletic, Erling opened up about playing for the same team as his dad.“It’s special that he played here, you know,” he said. “And it’s a bit special seeing old clips of him. And also the thought that he actually played in the Premier League, that’s nice, too. It’s different times, as you say, but in the end, it’s the Premier League, it’s England and this has also been a dream of mine to be playing here.”OSLO, NORWAY- JUNE 13: Alfie Haaland and Erling Braut Haaland play a friendly football match against Vivil IL at Skaugum Arena on June 13, 2022 in Skaugum, Norway.Erling also revealed that his father “didn’t put any pressure” on him about playing soccer, but he always wanted to follow in his footsteps. “It was my choice. But it was quite obvious,” he said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I remember as young as I can that I wanted to become a footballer,” Erling explained. “Because of my father, I told myself early I wanted to become better than him. That’s what I said to myself and getting the players up on my wall, the posters and so on… I remember having fun, me and my cousin, al