Seven goals in four games: Haaland leads Norway to World Cup quarterfinal against England

Erling Haaland has emerged as the defining figure of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, scoring seven goals in four matches to carry Norway into the quarterfinals, where they will face England.

Haaland’s tournament has been built on decisive moments. He netted an 86th-minute winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 32, then scored twice as Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16 — a result that announced the Scandinavian nation as genuine contenders. His tally places him level in the race for the Golden Boot alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane.

Beyond the goals, Haaland has become one of the tournament’s most talked-about personalities. A video of him tapping a young mascot on the shoulder before the Brazil match — prompting the child to light up and shout his name — spread widely online, adding a human dimension to his growing legend in the United States.

Haaland has leaned into American culture throughout the tournament. He attended the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights, later saying the American national anthem gave him goosebumps. After Norway’s win in Dallas, he visited Wild Bill’s Western Store, purchasing several cowboy hats customised with his initials and jersey number, along with a pair of snakeskin boots. When teammates teased him for ordering water in the shop, he was characteristically direct: “They complain when I order [water], but when I score goals they zip it up.”

On his appreciation for the local reception, Haaland was equally candid. “It’s a good thing,” he said of the growing American fanbase. “I like Americans. They’re hilarious. I like the way they are.”

Norway’s supporters have matched their striker’s energy. The Viking row chant has become a familiar sight across the host cities, including Times Square, while the squad posed for a promotional shoot dressed as Norse warriors before departing for the tournament.

After the victory over Brazil, captain Martin Ødegaard handed Haaland the drumstick so the striker could lead the crowd celebration from the pitch — a moment that underlined his central role both on and off it.

Haaland also appeared on a television chat show where he took on a youth table tennis champion and played shuffleboard against his partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, further broadening his profile with an American audience ahead of what promises to be a defining quarterfinal.