Star striker Erling Haaland has made a striking declaration regarding Norway’s prospects in the upcoming World Cup 2026, asserting that his national team holds a “very low” chance of lifting the championship trophy. This candid assessment comes as Norway prepares for a high-stakes quarter-final encounter against England, a match Haaland suggests his side approaches without significant pressure.
The 25-year-old forward emphasized that the burden of expectation rests firmly on England. Norway is set to face the Three Lions in the quarter-finals, with the highly anticipated match scheduled for 4:00 AM on July 12th in Miami.
Haaland has been a pivotal figure for Norway in the tournament, netting an impressive seven goals in five appearances. His contributions have been instrumental in guiding Norway to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Despite this historic achievement, the Manchester City star appears remarkably composed. He affirmed that he and his Norwegian teammates feel no undue pressure heading into the clash against England, a formidable European opponent.
On the contrary, Haaland believes that the England squad, currently managed by Thomas Tuchel, is the team burdened by immense pressure. This is largely due to the widespread expectation among fans and pundits that England is a strong contender to win the 2026 World Cup. Haaland openly conveyed to reporters his belief that Norway’s odds of winning the tournament remain exceedingly slim.
“It still has a very low percentage! I think right now there are still teams that are candidates to win the title, and England is among them,” Haaland stated. “I think everyone should put the pressure on England instead. Our match against England will be an enjoyable and thrilling one.”
The upcoming fixture holds a special significance for Haaland, as he anticipates facing many of his current Manchester City teammates, alongside several former youth academy colleagues, who are part of the English squad. Haaland reiterated that the entirety of the pressure lies with England, not Norway. He elaborated that after a decisive 4-1 loss to France in the group stage, Norway understood the immense difficulty of competing for the title, and as a result, many of the Norwegian players are not overly concerned with championship aspirations.
In stark contrast to Norway, England has maintained an undefeated record en route to the quarter-finals, even if some matches concluded in draws. Moreover, strong teams like England consistently set high objectives for themselves in every major competition, always aiming to win the World Cup title.
