It's not normal for Norway - Haaland

July 9, 2026

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has acknowledged that his national team's progression to the World Cup quarter-finals represents an unprecedented achievement for the country. In advance of their upcoming match against England, Haaland characterized his team as underdogs while identifying England as the favored side in the contest. The Manchester City forward's comments reflect both pride in Norway's unexpected tournament success and a realistic assessment of the challenging opponent they face.

Who is affected

Erling Haaland (Norway striker)
Norway national football team
England Men's Football Team
Fans and supporters of both Norway and England

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article beyond Haaland making statements about the upcoming match.

Why it matters

This matters because Norway reaching the World Cup quarter-finals represents a historic achievement for a nation not traditionally considered a football powerhouse. The match against England in the knockout stages is significant as it pits an underdog against one of the tournament favorites, and Haaland's comments may influence the psychological dynamics heading into this high-stakes encounter.

What's next

The quarter-final match between Norway and England will take place (though the article references it as upcoming, no specific date or time is provided).

Read full article from source: BBC