​Norway’s Erling Haaland has been on fire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, already racking up seven goals as the tournament unfolds. The Manchester City star has notably put England in the spotlight as strong favorites to advance past Norway, while also insisting that the weight of expectation rests squarely on the shoulders of England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, and his Three Lions squad. Haaland is particularly looking forward to testing himself against familiar faces from his club, including Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly, and perhaps even his close friend John Stones, should the two sides meet in Miami. The clash promises to be a compelling showdown, with Haaland aiming to outshine England’s prolific striker Harry Kane.
When asked if Norway are underdogs, Haaland told The Mirror, “Yeah, definitely. I think everyone should stay humble, but they have a right to be confident about progressing.” The quarter-final matchup between England and Norway has sparked much talk about potential weather-related delays, a factor that could influence the schedule as fans and teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter. The interview also touched on Haaland’s view of Norway’s World Cup prospects, which, prior to the start of the tournament, had him pegging their chances at approximately 25 percent. Despite a sequence of impressive results, including the stunning elimination of Brazil, Haaland remains cautiously optimistic about lifting the trophy.
“Really low still [chances of winning the World Cup],” Haaland admitted, acknowledging the presence of several obvious favorites in the competition. England, in his assessment, stands among those elite teams. He urged everyone to apply maximum pressure on the English squad, calling the upcoming match a special game that demands intensity and focus. “For me, it’s super special because I play in England and was born in England. Facing teammates makes it a funny game, but it’s going to be nice,” he added with a smile.
Haaland, now 25, has already showcased his elite finishing and world-class form with seven goals in the tournament so far. He is eager to add more to that tally in Florida, aiming to help Norway advance further than many expect. Yet for him, personal glory takes a back seat to a broader mission—to lift Norway’s proud footballing tradition onto the world stage and to inspire compatriots back home. He emphasized that playing for Norway in the World Cup is more than a personal milestone; it is a massive honor and a defining career goal that he cherishes deeply.
“Being here, playing on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world, is really special,” Haaland reflected. “There are moments, like the memorable victory over Brazil, that stand out in my career and in Norwegian football history. Winning that match gave us immense belief and momentum as we prepared to face England in a World Cup quarterfinal in the United States.” He described the scenes back home as extraordinary—an outpouring of pride and support that underscores just how significant this World Cup run is for Norway and its fans.
Beyond his own aspirations, Haaland recognizes the broader importance of this tournament for Norwegian football culture. He has spoken about the emotional weight of representing Norway on football’s biggest stage and the responsibility of delivering memorable performances that can inspire a generation of players and supporters. The excitement surrounding Norway’s campaign has only intensified with each successive victory, and Haaland remains focused on adding more goals and contributing to his team’s historic journey.
As the World Cup in the United States continues, fans can anticipate Haaland’s continued influence on Norway’s campaign. He has demonstrated rare scoring prowess, a keen competitive instinct, and a commitment to lifting his national team to new heights. Whether or not Norway goes all the way, Haaland’s level of performance has already etched his name into World Cup history, and his leadership and ambition will be pivotal as Norway navigates the remainder of the tournament in search of further upsets, memorable moments, and a possible fairy-tale run that would captivate football fans around the world.