Erling Haaland has revealed he wants England to succeed in the World Cup after Norway were knocked out by the Three Lions, but also expressed support for France and Spain due to his Manchester City teammates.
Haaland's World Cup Journey Ends in Miami
Norway's historic run in the World Cup came to an end on Saturday night in Miami, as England secured a 2-1 victory thanks to a Jude Bellingham masterclass. The win sent Thomas Tuchel's side into the semi-finals, where they will face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Wednesday.
Haaland, who scored seven goals in five games during the tournament, was one of the standout players for a nation that few predicted would advance so far. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker was born in Leeds and was eligible to represent England but chose to follow his father Alf-Inge Haaland and play for Norway.
Haaland Backs England and Other Nations
Following the defeat, Haaland was asked if he would now support England for the rest of the tournament, especially given the number of his club teammates in the squad. 'Of course, I want England to do well,' Haaland responded with a wry smile, but he also acknowledged other nations. 'I think I got an England jersey before a Norway jersey when I was young. I grew up in England. It's a special country and a nice t-shirt. I've got my City teammates here, that's true. But I have teammates from France and Spain too.'
Manchester City is the most represented club in the England squad, with Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O'Reilly, James Trafford, and new £116 million signing Elliot Anderson. Additionally, City's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri captains Spain, while attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki is part of France's squad.
Haaland Proud of Norway's Performance
Haaland expressed pride in Norway's World Cup campaign, stating: 'This has been my goal for a long time, and I think after this tournament, we've put Norway on the map, so to speak. Now it's about maintaining those standards. I'm incredibly proud. We proved that it's possible to beat one of the biggest teams in the world, Brazil. We lost to England in the end, but we made them fight for it. Perhaps it could have gone differently. We've got more World Cups and Euros ahead of us; I think it's time for us to really establish ourselves. We've got a fantastic generation.'
What's Next for Haaland
Haaland will return to action for Manchester City, now managed by Enzo Maresca, in just over a month when they face Arsenal in the Community Shield. For now, the Norwegian striker says he is looking forward to a holiday and reflecting on an incredible World Cup experience.
