Erling Haaland ends Norway’s 28-year World Cup absence with 16 goals
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his profound relief after firing Norway to the 2026 World Cup, ending his country’s 28-year absence from international football’s biggest stage.
The prolific forward secured his nation’s spot with a remarkable 16 goals in just eight UEFA qualifying matches, culminating in a dramatic 4-1 victory over Italy in Milan.
Despite accumulating a vast collection of domestic and European honours, the lack of major international tournament football had remained a glaring omission in his glittering career.
Carrying the weight of a nation
“It felt missing in 2022 in Qatar and also in the Euros in 2024, so now it finally happened, and it was about time.”
“It was a lot of pressure; I could feel it ever since I started with the national team, the pressure to get to a World Cup.”
The Norwegian talisman admitted that expectations upon his shoulders had steadily increased during successive failed qualification campaigns.
Inspiring a new generation
Norway have not featured at a World Cup since 1998, meaning an entire generation of supporters has never witnessed their national team compete on the global stage.
Operating alongside Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and Atlético Madrid attacker Alexander Sørloth, the former Borussia Dortmund star is determined to forge lasting memories for those fans.
“I never experienced Norway being at a World Cup in my lifetime.”
“I’m just happy now that we qualified, and all the young Norwegian kids can experience how it is to have their country there.”
The 24-year-old vividly recalls watching iconic moments from previous tournaments, such as James Rodríguez’s spectacular exploits for Colombia in 2014, and now aspires to emulate that widespread impact.
“I want to create something special there together with the whole nation, and hopefully we can make that happen.”
