Erling Haaland believes Norway’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have changed the country’s standing in international football, despite their campaign ending with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarter-finals.
Norway’s hopes of reaching the last four were ended in Miami on Saturday after Jude Bellingham scored twice to send England into the semi-finals. The match also brought an end to Haaland’s remarkable scoring streak, with the Manchester City forward failing to find the net for the first time in 15 competitive appearances for his national team.
Although Norway exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage, Haaland said the team’s achievements had left a lasting impact and could help shape the future of football in the country.
“How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most,” Haaland said.
“Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it’s possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt.”
The 25-year-old was one of the standout performers at the tournament, scoring seven goals in five matches as Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 28 years.
Among his most memorable displays was a two-goal performance against five-time world champions Brazil in the last 16, helping Norway continue their unexpected run in the competition.
Despite the disappointment of elimination, Haaland said the experience of the past six weeks had been significant for both himself and Norwegian football.
“It’s kind of difficult to take in this kind of a show or rollercoaster that we’ve been in now for the last six weeks,” he said.
“I think this changes Norway, I think it changes me. I’ve said it many times, we’re building on something in Norway.”
“It’s about maintaining this because again we’ve shown that it’s possible to be one of the biggest football nations in the world.”
Haaland also reserved special praise for England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored both goals that ended Norway’s World Cup campaign.
The pair previously played together at Borussia Dortmund, and Haaland described the Real Madrid midfielder as one of the finest players in world football.
“We had so much fun together and I’m not surprised that he scores two goals today and performs the way he does,” Haaland said.
“I think he’s one of the best in the world and he’s a midfielder. He still scores goals, he still manages to dribble every single player on the field.”
“It’s just praise for Jude, I think he’s unbelievable. England is lucky because everybody would want a Jude in the team.”
Haaland was substituted during extra time as Norway searched for an equaliser, having struggled with the demanding conditions in Miami.
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken revealed after the match that fatigue and a knock had affected his leading scorer, admitting he may have waited too long before making the change.
“It was not a tough decision to take him out because he was finished and maybe I should take him out before,” Solbakken said.
“We used all his energy and power for game after game. He also got a dead leg in the second half, so that combined with the fatigu he did everything he could.”
“He scored seven goals in five games for us. A fantastic World Cup.”
Although Norway fell short of a place in the semi-finals, their performances throughout the tournament, combined with Haaland’s prolific goalscoring, have raised hopes that the Scandinavian nation can establish itself as a regular competitor at major international tournaments in the years ahead.
