Norway’s Erling Haaland suggests pressure is on England ahead of World Cup quarter-final

By Arjun Nair / 10.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 9 July 2026 — 6 min read

Norway striker Erling Haaland has stated that the pressure leading into their World Cup quarter-final match on Saturday is entirely on England. He playfully urged the media to intensify this pressure on Thomas Tuchel‘s squad. The upcoming match in Miami will determine which team advances to the semi-finals.

Norway, who had not participated in a World Cup since 1998, has now reached the final eight for the first time. Their journey included finishing second in Group I and securing victories against Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stages. In contrast, England has consistently reached at least the quarter-finals in the last three men’s World Cups but has not made it to the final since their 1966 triumph.

When questioned about the pressure, Haaland, a Manchester City striker, affirmed, “Yes, definitely.” He identified England as one of the clear favourites in the tournament. Addressing journalists, he added, “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.” He also suggested that England fans should be confident about their team’s progression.

Haaland, who is 25 years old, has consistently scored in his last 14 competitive matches for Norway. He aims to extend this scoring streak against the country of his birth, as he was born in Leeds when his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, moved from Leeds United to Manchester City. The quarter-final clash is scheduled for Saturday at 22:00 BST.

Last year, when Haaland was featured on the cover of Time magazine, he estimated Norway‘s chances of winning the World Cup at 0.5%. However, his performance, including seven goals in four appearances and a double against Brazil in the last 16, has been instrumental in propelling Norway to the last eight.

He expressed surprise at Norway‘s progress, stating, “I didn’t expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising even for me.” He described playing against Brazil and then facing England in the quarter-finals in the USA as “quite special.”

Haaland‘s popularity in the US has grown during the tournament, attributed to both his on-field achievements and his off-field persona. Following his winning goal against Ivory Coast in the last 32, he was seen shopping for cowboy hats and boots in Dallas. A video of this trip on his YouTube channel garnered over six million views within five days.

He commented on his experience in the US, saying, “It’s a good thing because I like the Americans, I think they are kind of hilarious as well. They are funny, so I like the way they are.” He praised the World Cup experience in the US, from the games to the stadiums and training grounds, calling it “amazing” and “impressive.”

Other videos show Haaland attending the Stanley Cup final in North Carolina and leading his teammates in a “Viking row” celebration after their victory over Brazil. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment, stating, “I like to joke a little bit and I like to have fun. I think that’s a key to for my daily life to joke around and of course train good, of course focus well and prepare well but you also need to joke around and you need to enjoy the moment.”

Historical Context of Norway vs. England

The upcoming match carries historical significance, particularly for Norway. An iconic moment in Norwegian football history occurred on 9 September 1981, when Norway defeated England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier. This victory was famously immortalized by Norwegian radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien, whose enthusiastic commentary has achieved legendary status.

Lillelien‘s commentary included a triumphant declaration, “We have beaten England! England, the birthplace of giants!” He then listed prominent British figures, concluding with a direct message to Maggie Thatcher: “Your boys took a hell of a beating!” This commentary, delivered partly in English, underscored the magnitude of Norway‘s win.

At the time, England had experienced a challenging period, with losses to Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, and Brazil earlier in 1981, and draws against Wales and Romania. Norway, on the other hand, had not qualified for a major tournament since the 1938 Olympics. Despite England‘s form, their football held a special place in Norwegian hearts.

Since November 1969, the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK had been televising live matches from the English first division during the winter months, when Norwegian football was inactive due to weather. This exposure meant that English football became a significant part of Norwegian culture, with many growing up idolizing English players and teams.

Øyvind Alsaker, who will commentate on Saturday’s quarter-final for Norwegian broadcaster TV2, recalled the excitement surrounding these televised games. He noted that many Norwegians developed strong emotional ties to English clubs, with examples such as Gabriel Høyland, Erling Haaland’s great uncle, being a dedicated Burnley supporter, and commentator Kasper Wikestad supporting Norwich.

Wikestad described England and English football as a “dream” for Norwegians, emphasizing the atmosphere, the stars, and the chants from the stands. He stated that the idea of Norway beating England in a qualifying match was considered an “unrealistic dream” at the time.

Lillelien, known for making even dull games entertaining, became particularly animated during the 1981 match. When Norway took a 2-1 lead and maintained it, his commentary grew increasingly passionate. He notably referred to Phil Neal as “a pig” after a foul on Tom Lund, accusing England of having “thugs both in the stands and on the pitch!”

As the final whistle approached, Lillelien criticized the referee for perceived delays, suggesting he was aiming for English citizenship. However, upon the final whistle, he erupted with joy, declaring, “Norway have beaten England 2-1 at football! We are the best in the world!”

Current Perspectives and Expectations

Today, Norwegian children continue to dream of playing in England. Alsaker highlighted that three generations of Norwegians have been deeply influenced by English football. He described the feeling of commentating on this upcoming match as “unreal,” especially after Norway‘s unexpected journey to the quarter-finals.

Alsaker expressed humility and responsibility for his role, acknowledging the large number of Norwegians who will be following the game. He noted that while the match against Brazil felt significant, facing England holds even greater meaning for Norwegians. “For Norwegians, no opponent we face on a football pitch could ever mean more than England,” he said.

Haaland‘s Manchester City teammate, Nico O’Reilly, who is expected to start as England‘s left-back in the quarter-final, responded to Haaland‘s comments about England being favourites. O’Reilly suggested that these remarks “could be mind games.” He acknowledged Norway as a strong team, stating, “It’s not just certain players we have to worry about – they’re good collectively. It’s going to be a good game and good battle.”

O’Reilly is well aware of Haaland‘s scoring prowess, noting that “Erling is Erling” and describing him as a “real threat” in the box. England assistant coach Anthony Barry echoed O’Reilly‘s sentiments, emphasizing that Norway is not a one-man team. Barry highlighted Norway‘s excellence in set-pieces and their formidable frontline, which includes players from major European teams like Martin Odegaard, who is a Premier League winner and captain.

Barry stressed that Norway‘s presence in the last eight is not a fluke, and they have earned England‘s full respect. He confirmed that England is well-prepared for the game, focusing on Norway as the first of three steps towards their ultimate goal. The quarter-final match is scheduled for Saturday in Miami.

Source: bbc.com