Erling Haaland Draws on Father's Advice Ahead of Norway's World Cup Debut

Norwegian international footballer Erling Haaland spoke about achieving his "big goal" and following in his father's footsteps as he prepares for Norway's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Manchester City striker, aged 25, expressed confidence in Norway's team, highlighting their creativity and quality as they approach the tournament set to begin next month in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Haaland has secured numerous titles throughout his career in Austria, Germany, and England. He has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the best player of the season, and was selected for FIFA's Best XI in 2024.

Despite these achievements, Haaland has yet to appear in a major international tournament. Norway last qualified for a significant competition in the UEFA European Championship in 2000, which ended 19 days before Haaland's birth. Their last World Cup appearance was in 1998 in France.

In an interview published on FIFA's official website on Tuesday, Haaland stated, "It’s not embarrassing, but it’s been a very long time, and you try for years and then nothing happens, so you get used to it not happening. I personally have never experienced Norway playing in the World Cup, so I think the time has come."

During the qualifiers, Haaland was a prolific scorer, netting at least one goal in all eight matches, including five against Moldova and two in a decisive away win over Italy, equaling the qualifying record with 16 goals.

However, Haaland emphasized that the most important achievement was not the goals he scored but the goal he reached by helping Norway qualify.

He added, "For me personally, this is a great achievement. I have said for a long time that my big goal is to lead Norway to the World Cup. That is what I will continue to work for. Now it has finally happened, and I am very happy and excited for what is coming. I felt the relief and joy that everyone in the country experienced. It was a great feeling."

Haaland also noted, "I did not experience the World Cup as a young child in this country. So I am very happy for the children in Norway to live this experience because I always wished to see Norway play in the World Cup. Every time I watched the tournament, I was supporting another team, so it will be nice."

Norway will play all three of their group stage matches within the United States, which holds special significance for Haaland, as his father, Alf-Inge, participated in the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S. with the Norwegian national team.

Among Alf-Inge's matches was a 0-1 loss to Italy in the first round at Giants Stadium, which was later demolished and replaced by the New York New Jersey Stadium. In the second group match, Erling Haaland and his teammates will face Senegal at this venue.

Haaland Shares Father's World Cup Insights

Haaland discussed advice from his father, who also played for Manchester City, saying, "We talked about it a lot. He said it’s like three finals, where you play as if your life depends on it. That’s why you always see an underdog team beat one of the best teams in the World Cup, because everyone plays for their country in a completely different way."

He continued, "You only have three matches in the first round, and if you don’t perform, you’re out of the tournament. It’s simple and difficult at the same time."

Reflecting on the experience, Haaland recalled, "I remember talking with my mother about it. She was in the stands and felt nervous before the matches. It’s a huge occasion. Big stadiums and positive crowds. It’s a gathering, and that’s what I really like about football. It unites people, not just inside the stadium or the country, but all over the world watching on TV."

When asked about how he imagines feeling when emerging from the tunnel at Boston’s stadium for Norway’s opening match in the World Cup, Haaland said, "It will feel like a dream come true. I think it’s more special because I have never experienced it before."

Concluding his remarks, Haaland, who joined Norway’s senior team in 2019, stated, "It will be a different experience and feeling because, again, I don’t really know what to expect, as I haven’t been through it before. All I know is that I’m very excited, and it will be amazing."