Erling Haaland leads Norway to World Cup qualification

Erling Haaland has scored 55 goals in 49 appearances for Norway. His 16 goals in eight qualifying matches secured Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998. The 25‑year‑old’s contribution ended a 28‑year absence from the tournament. Norway will face Iraq in their opening group match on 16 June. Haaland was born in Leeds in 2000 while his father Alf‑Inge Haaland was playing there. The family moved to Bryne, Norway, three years later after Alf‑Inge retired through injury following a spell at Manchester City. The forward’s talent was identified at Bryne and he progressed through their youth system before joining Molde in 2017, where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager. After successful periods at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, Haaland transferred to Manchester City in 2022. When Solskjaer later took charge at Manchester United, he expressed regret that he could not bring Haaland to Old Trafford. In 2020 England manager Gareth Southgate dismissed speculation that Haaland might switch allegiance, stating the player’s loyalty to Norway was clear. Norwegian football journalist Andreas Korssund noted that despite his global profile, Haaland remains “the exact same guy” who frequently visits his hometown in Rogaland. Haaland owns several properties in Norway, including an apartment in Oslo, and has expressed a desire to run a farm after retirement. He displays his mother’s maiden name Braut on the back of his Norway shirt, a common Norwegian tradition. Norway’s previous World Cup appearances came in 1994 and 1998, with a further major tournament at Euro 2000, leaving many talented players such as Morten Gamst Pedersen, John Carew and Brede Hangeland without a chance to compete on the biggest stage.