World Cup 2026: Erling Haaland carries pressure of guiding Norway to first major tournament in 26 years

The last time Norway competed at a World Cup, Erling Haaland was not even born.

Yet by helping his nation reach the quarter-finals of their first World Cup since 1998, Haaland has not just chalked off a personal milestone – he has completed a mission he has carried on his shoulders for years.

Now England, the country of his birth, stand in his way.

The hopes of the Scandinavian nation rested on the 25-year-old long before he scored 16 goals across eight matches in a dominant qualifying campaign, and then seven in four appearances at the tournament proper.

This was the case even before he became the fearsome Manchester City striker he is today.

Those hopes for Haaland can probably be traced back to when, in his early teens, his talent was spotted at Norwegian side Bryne and fast-tracked through their youth teams.

That talent grew and promise intensified during a club career carefully crafted to suit Haaland, and now, having won everything to win in club football with City, he is fulfilling his destiny for the national team too.

But things could have looked different.

Born in Yorkshire, the forward was eligible to play for England. But affinity with his home country meant there was little chance of that happening, even if it meant the chances of winning something at international level – or even regularly reaching tournaments – were slim.

Choosing Norway might have meant the career no superstar player wants – one that does not involve playing at a World Cup.

Haaland avoided that fate and, after scoring twice to oust five-time winners Brazil in the last 16, will be looking to end England’s hopes of a 1966 repeat when Norway face them in Miami on Saturday.

But just what is it like being a global name from a nation with a population of just 5.5 million?

And is it really just Haaland standing between England and the semi-finals?