Haaland claims Norway's presence felt globally following World Cup elimination

Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland was left to ponder what could have been after his team's 2026 World Cup quarter-final match against England ended in a 2-1 defeat after extra-time at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026.

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Despite the loss, Haaland took solace in the fact that Norway's World Cup performances had inspired a new generation of young players, a sentiment he expressed in the aftermath of the match.

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Haaland's own goal-scoring streak for Norway came to an end at 15 competitive games, as he failed to find the back of the net against England, with Jude Bellingham's double proving to be the decisive factor.

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The Manchester City striker had been in impressive form prior to the quarter-final, scoring seven times in four games at the World Cup, including a brace against Brazil in the last 16.

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Haaland reflected on the significance of Norway's World Cup run, stating that it had put the country on the map and would provide motivation for young Norwegian players to strive for success on the international stage.

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He expressed his hope that Norway could build on their success and establish themselves as a powerhouse in international football, competing in major tournaments like the Euros and World Cup.

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Haaland's global superstar status has continued to rise in recent weeks, with his affable personality and goal-scoring ability winning over new fans in the United States.

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The 25-year-old striker acknowledged that the past six weeks had been a whirlwind experience, but was keen to emphasize the importance of maintaining the momentum and building on Norway's success.

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Haaland also spoke highly of his friend and former teammate Jude Bellingham, who had scored twice against Norway, describing him as one of the best players in the world and a valuable asset to the English team.

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Norway boss Stale Solbakken defended his decision to substitute Haaland at half-time in extra-time, citing the player's fatigue and a dead leg as the reasons behind the move.

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Solbakken admitted that he may have left Haaland on the pitch for too long, but was full of praise for the striker's performances throughout the World Cup, describing his seven goals in five games as a fantastic achievement.