Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker wey don win Premier League and Champions League, don finally achieve wetin he dey dream since small. After many years of near misses, Norway don qualify for 2026 World Cup, and Haaland go lead dem for America. Na first time Norway go play World Cup since 1998, and Haaland say e feel like heavy burden don lift.
Haaland score 16 goals for UEFA qualifying, eight more than any other player, including two quick goals for San Siro wey seal qualification. For exclusive interview with ESPN, Haaland confess say e dey fear say e no go ever play for World Cup. “E dey missing for 2022 for Qatar and for Euros 2024,” e yarn. “But now e finally happen, and na about time.”
The Norway squad get plenty talent. Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal captain, and Alexander Sørloth from Atlético Madrid dey there. But Haaland na the main man. Coach Ståle Solbakken believe say if the team give Haaland service, e go score. “If you give Erling chances, e get tendency to score,” Solbakken talk.
Norway go play Iraq first for Boston Stadium, same place where Diego Maradona play im last World Cup match for 1994. After that, Senegal and France dey wait. Haaland say every team get something special, but e no dey fear. “The World Cup na special thing because of moments like Saudi Arabia wey beat Argentina for 2022,” e yarn.
Haaland born for Leeds, England, but e choose Norway, where im papa Alfie play for 1994 World Cup. Alfie go come watch for America, and Haaland say e dey happy say young Norwegians go see their country for World Cup. “I remember 2010 opening game and 2014 when James Rodríguez dey amazing,” e yarn. “Now we fit create our own memories.”
Norway prepare well. Dem take traditional Viking photo for fjord, titled “The Vikings are coming.” Haaland even buy rare Viking book for 136,000 Norwegian krones and donate am to library for im hometown Bryne. “I proud to be Norwegian,” e explain.
Haaland dey confident say Norway go pass group stage. If dem do am, e go better im papa wey Norway finish bottom for 1994. Tore André Flo, former Norway striker, say this generation na the most talented ever. “We get top scorer for Premier League and captain of league winner,” Flo yarn. “Offensively we strong.”
Solbakken don finish quarrel with Scotland about cancelled training game. E say e dey support Scotland now because e be Liverpool fan. But all attention na for Haaland. The 25-year-old don score more than goal per game for Norway, and e dey ready for World Cup debut. “I no think about success,” Haaland yarn. “My main goal na to qualify. Now everything na bonus.”
