Erling Haaland has ramped up the World Cup mind games by saying England are the team under pressure when they face Norway in their quarter-final tie on Saturday.
Haaland: England are clear favourites
Haaland, who has scored seven times in four games in the tournament, insisted expectations should only be directed one way. Asked whether all the pressure is on England, Haaland replied: “Yeah”. Pushed on whether Norway could take advantage of that, the striker said: “Yeah, definitely.”
Last year Haaland gave Norway a 0.5% chance of winning the World Cup and, despite the evidence of recent weeks, he suggested the prospects are not much greater. “Really low still,” he said. “I think there are some clear favourites out there. England are one of them, so I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.”
Stay humble reference
Haaland’s comments were delivered with a smile, including his response to whether England supporters should “stay humble” before the match, a reference to his famous remark to Mikel Arteta following a draw between Manchester City and Arsenal in September 2024. “I think everyone should stay humble but they should be confident of progressing, definitely,” he said.
Norway's surprising run
Haaland admitted that Norway’s success in the tournament has come as a surprise. “I didn’t expect this at all,” said the 25-year-old. “Even before the first game I didn’t expect it, and now I didn’t expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup, it’s quite surprising even for me.”
He added: “Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil, then go and play England in a quarter-final in the USA, is quite special. And I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway to be here.”
Personal significance for Haaland
Haaland, who was born in Leeds during his father Alf-Inge Haaland’s time at Elland Road, outlined the match’s personal significance. “It’s a special game, definitely,” he said. “I think for me, it’s super special because I play in England and I’m born in England, and you also play against teammates and everything. So it’s a bit … not weird, but it’s a funny game and it’s going to be nice.”
Norway are on the verge of making more history and Haaland is determined to enjoy the occasion. “It’s a key for my daily life to train well, focus well and prepare well, but you also need to enjoy the moment and that’s what we’ve been doing now,” he said. “And as we play in the World Cup we just have to enjoy it because nothing lasts forever, and we have to just enjoy while we’re here.”
Team health update
Haaland and his teammates continue to enjoy a clean bill of health before facing England, with reports about a sickness bug in the camp earlier in the week having been exaggerated.
