Erling Haaland excited about maiden FIFA World Cup appearance for Norway

Oslo [Norway], May 26 (HBTV): Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who recently secured his third Premier League Golden Boot, has expressed excitement about making his FIFA World Cup debut for Norway, describing the national side as a ‘really strong’ team that works well together.

At 25, Haaland has already enjoyed a trophy-laden career, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City. The European title came during City’s historic treble-winning campaign in the 2022-23 season.

The Norwegian striker has established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific goal scorers and has broken several records during his time in England.

Although he has won trophies in Austria, Germany and England at club level, Haaland is yet to feature in a major international tournament. That will change this year as Norway returns to the FIFA World Cup.

Norway’s last appearance at a major football tournament came at UEFA Euro 2000, which concluded just 19 days before Haaland was born. Their last FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998, when they reached the Round of 16.

Speaking to FIFA, Haaland said, ‘It gets a bit awkward to speak about because it has been so long, and you have been trying for so long, and then it does not happen. You get used to it not happening. I have never experienced Norway being at the World Cup in my life, so I think it was about time.’

Haaland was in sensational form during the qualifiers, scoring in eight qualifying matches. His tally included five goals against Moldova and a brace against Italy away from home, taking his overall qualification tally to 16 goals.

‘For me personally, it is a huge thing,’ he said. ‘I have said it for a long time, my big goal is to get Norway to the World Cup. That is what I am going to try to work towards. Now it has finally happened, and I am super-happy for that and super-excited for what is next.’

He added that the qualification brought immense joy and relief across the country.

Haaland also said he was happy that children in Norway would finally get to experience their national team at a World Cup, something he himself never had growing up.

Norway’s group stage matches will all be played in the United States, a country that holds personal significance for Haaland. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, represented Norway at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US.

Alf-Inge featured in Norway’s 1-0 defeat to Italy at Giants Stadium, the site where the New York New Jersey Stadium now stands. Haaland and his teammates are scheduled to play Senegal at the same location during the tournament.

‘We have been speaking about it,’ Haaland said regarding his father’s World Cup experience. ‘He said it is like three finals where you play for your life. That is why every time at the World Cup you see an outsider beat one of the best teams, because people play for their country like never before.’

He also revealed that his mother watched the 1994 World Cup nervously from the stands.

‘It is a huge thing. Big stadiums, positive crowds. It is a gathering, and it is a different kind of gathering, which I really like in football. It brings people together not only at the stadium and in the country, but around the whole world in front of the TV,’ he added.

Apart from Haaland, Norway’s squad includes Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb and RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa among its standout players.

Describing the squad, Haaland said Norway is a ‘tall, strong’ team that combines physicality with creativity.

‘After that, we have the quality that you need in football to create things and score goals. I think Norway are exciting because of the players and the creativity we have. I think that is also important to be a nice team to watch,’ he said.

Reflecting on Norway’s recent performances, including a victory over Italy at San Siro during qualification, Haaland said the results had provided the team with a major confidence boost.

‘We got Italy at home, we beat them. We went to San Siro, where not many teams have beaten them in World Cup qualifying, and we have gone and beat them, which shows people we can perform no matter where and no matter what,’ he said.

Haaland said walking out onto the pitch at Boston Stadium for Norway’s opening match against Iraq would be a ‘dream come true’.

‘It is more special because I have never experienced it. It will be an interesting feeling and experience because I do not know what I am going into. I am just looking forward to it. It is going to be amazing,’ he said.

(ANI)