Erling Haaland was pleasantly surprised by Norway’s progress to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. His primary goal was simply to qualify, and he viewed everything beyond that as a bonus. Speaking to ESPN’s Connor O’Halloran, Haaland expressed, “I haven’t thought too much about how Norway, or myself, will perform because my main goal was to qualify. Honestly, now I’ll take everything as a bonus.”
Despite Norway’s exit to England with a close 2-1 match in Miami on July 11, Haaland remained optimistic. The Manchester City star continued to hold his initial outlook, celebrating his team’s deepest World Cup performance in history. Haaland shared his gratitude on Instagram, referencing Norway’s famous “Viking Row.”
“It’s been quite a row, thank you for making it so special,” Haaland captioned.
In a press conference following Norway’s defeat, Haaland delved into the impact of the team’s journey. “It’s been unreal, honestly,” he remarked. “The performances are one thing — beating Brazil is one thing — but how we put Norway on the map is what touches me the most. With the Row, with how good people we are, I think we are good people — that really touches me. We put Norway on the map, and hopefully, now, we can establish something for Euros, World Cups, and everything because our generation is amazing. I hope this motivates young people in Norway that it’s possible.”
Haaland also reflected on his personal experience throughout the World Cup. “After being in the quarterfinals with Norway and going straight to holiday, it’s quite nice,” he said. “I’m quite happy with my life. I’m enjoying it. I’m in a good place. It’s difficult to take in this kind of show or roller coaster we’ve been on for the past six weeks because it’s so much. So many impressions. So many feelings. Again, I think this changes Norway. It changes me.”
This tournament marked Norway’s first Men’s World Cup appearance since 1998. Haaland, the Premier League Golden Boot winner, scored seven goals in his debut World Cup. He can now enjoy his vacation, secure in his status as one of the elite strikers globally. Meanwhile, the World Cup continues, with the remaining teams vying for the title. France and Spain will clash in one semifinal on July 14, while England faces Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, in the other semifinal on July 15. The championship match is scheduled for July 19.