How Earling Haaland made Norway’s return to the World Cup possible after 27 years

When Erling Haaland walked off the pitch at the San Siro Stadium after helping secure Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998, it was the culmination of a mission the 25-year-old has carried on his shoulders for years.

Haaland scored a double in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Italy to take his extraordinary tally in 2026 World Cup qualifying to 16 goals, twice as many as any other player in Europe. His tally includes five goals in an 11-1 thrashing of Moldova and one goal in at least one goal in each of Norway’s eight matches.

«It’s about getting into situations where I can mainly score,» the Manchester City forward told reporters after Sunday’s victory.

«It was absolutely crazy. I’m proud and this is absolutely fantastic. The fact that we can come here and win 4-1… shows that we are a bit unpredictable.»

Haaland’s nearest goal-scoring challengers are England captain Harry Kane, Dutch forward Memphis Depay and Austrian Marko Arnautovic, all of whom have eight players.

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“Haaland is a goal machine,” said a grateful Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken. «I’m happy that the Italian fans also applauded him. This is a crowd that has seen great players play here over the years and I’m happy that they also appreciated Haaland’s performance.»

That applause was not just for the goals, but for the spectacle of a 6-foot-2 battering ram of a striker who combines raw power with precision and has become one of the most feared strikers in football.

A World Cup berth was ‘the main goal’

Haaland recently told reporters that getting Norway to the World Cup is “the most important goal” of his career. But securing a ticket to the 2026 tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada is more than just a personal milestone for Haaland; it is a statement about Norway’s evolution, he said.

“We broke codes and became better individual players,” he said. “People have had real breakthroughs, like Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb, who plays for Manchester City.

«It’s important to pinch yourself, for the small nation that we are. I feel like this is the start of something big. It’s just important to enjoy the moment.»

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As Norway heads to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Haaland will be at the center of his ambitions – not just as a goalscorer, but as the leader of a team and country that has dared to dream big.

The striker is popular in the small Scandinavian country with less than six million inhabitants.

There are several Haaland murals in his hometown of Bryne. There was even a three-metre-tall wooden Haaland statue that was stolen in 2022, amid rumors it was taken by a disgruntled fan who thought it looked nothing like him.

Haaland’s leadership was on display during Thursday’s 4-1 win over Estonia. He gave an emotional speech at half-time to break the deadlock, then made headlines for a cheeseburger run when, still dressed in his Norwegian kit, he collected dozens of burgers for teammates.

Published on November 17, 2025