Haaland leads Norway to first World Cup since 1998 with pressure embraced

Erling Haaland plays his first World Cup on Wednesday, twenty-eight years after Norway’s last appearance in the competition. The Drillos, absent from the world stage since France 1998, face Iraq in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday to begin their 2026 World Cup campaign, in a Group I that includes France and Senegal.

The path taken to get there is telling: Norway won all eight qualifying matches without a single defeat, and Haaland finished as the top scorer in the qualifying phase with 16 goals — double that of his nearest challenger, Dutchman Memphis Depay (8 goals). The Manchester City striker therefore carries on his shoulders the hopes of a country deprived of a major tournament since Euro 2000.

In an interview with the Daily Mail on Tuesday, Haaland expressed an impatience tinged with lucidity. “I can’t wait. It’s a first for me. It’s an incredible feeling. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I grew up like all the other fans: at home, with my friends and family, in front of the TV. This time it’s different because I’ll be there, I’ll be part of it. It’s pressure, obviously, but I love it.”

The striker identified collective cohesion as Norway’s main asset. “We have an excellent group of players who have progressed together, so we know each other very well and enjoy playing together. That’s important.” He did not, however, seek to downplay the difficulty of the group. “It won’t be easy. But we must believe in our chances of qualifying and see what happens next. One step at a time.”

The first of these steps is imminent: the match against Iraq is scheduled for midnight.