The new Norway attended the VCK World Cup, stopping at the 1994 board ring and entering the 1/8th round in 1998. Their biggest tournament was Euro 2000, which ended before Haaland was born for a few months.
Norway will go to the I World Cup 2026 with the Battle of Iraq (July 16), before encountering Senegal (22/6) then France (26/6). When asked about the feeling of being competed at the planet's largest team-level tournament, the 25-year-old predecessor replied: "It's like a dream come true. For a long time, my biggest goal was to get Norway to the World Cup, and now it has come true and I am very happy. Every time I watch the World Cup, I cheer for another team. I'm happy for Norwegian children to be promoted to my team at this tournament".
Preliminary Erling Haaland (right) congratulated after scoring in the Norwegian victory over Italy 4-1 in the 2026 World Cup round on San Siro Field, Milan City, Italy on 16/11/2026. Image: AFP
Haaland's father, Alf-Inge used to play for Norway at the 1994 World Cup, which included losing to Italy 0-1 on the Roswell Field, USA, which was demolished and replaced with New York New Jersey Field, where Haaland and his team were about to meet Senegal.
According to Haaland, the World Cup is the largest stage in the world. Therefore, he and his teammates needed to play every single game in order to make sure to pass the board.
The 2026 World Cup was the first major of Haaland
After the defeats in the Euro Type 2021, 2024 and World Cup 2022, Erling Haalland prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Haaland: 'Man City should be angry'.
According to Erling Haaland, Man City needed to activate mental strength to regain the throne after not being the two consecutive British Foreign Championships.
Haaland was criticized for promoting beer for the 2026 World Cup
Erling Haaland's collaboration with a leading American brewery has caused a wave of fierce protest at the Norwegian home of Norway, where alcohol advertising activities were banned.