The last time Norway competed at a World Cup, Erling Haaland was not even born. Now, by firing 16 goals in eight matches during a dominant qualifying campaign, the 25-year-old has guided his nation to their first World Cup since 1998 — completing a mission he has carried on his shoulders for years.
Hopes that the Scandinavian nation would end their 28-year absence rested on Haaland long before he became the fearsome Manchester City striker he is today. Those hopes can probably be traced back to his early teens, when his talent was spotted at Norwegian side Bryne and fast-tracked through their youth teams.
“Erling Haaland has fired Norway to their first World Cup since 1998 with 16 goals in qualifying.”
The forward was born in Leeds in 2000, where his father Alf-Inge was still based after leaving Leeds United for Manchester City. The family moved to Bryne three years later following Alf-Inge's retirement through injury. Despite being eligible to play for England, affinity with his home country meant there was little chance of that happening — even if it meant the chances of regularly reaching tournaments were slim.
When England manager Gareth Southgate was asked in 2020 whether there was any possibility of Haaland playing for the Three Lions, he shut it down quickly. "With players like him, they're quite clear where they want to play," Southgate said. "He feels that allegiance to the country that he's playing for now and you're always very respectful of that."
Haaland's talent grew and promise intensified during a club career carefully crafted to suit him. After moving through Bryne's youth teams, he joined Molde in 2017, then managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who helped turn him into the attacking force he is today. Solskjaer has often spoken highly of his former player, expressing regret that he could not bring him to Old Trafford when he became Manchester United manager.
The young forward began to draw attention at Red Bull Salzburg before a spell at Borussia Dortmund announced him on the world stage. Now, having won everything there is to win in club football with City, he is fulfilling his destiny for the national team too. Haaland has scored 55 goals in 49 matches for his country, carrying Norway to a World Cup that once seemed an impossible dream for a nation of just 5.5 million people.