Norway forward Erling Haaland has expressed that his team’s prospects of clinching the World Cup are “very low,” emphasizing that the weight of expectation lies heavily on England before their quarterfinal match this Saturday in Miami.
After scoring seven goals in five matches to help Norway reach the quarterfinals for the first time, Haaland stated that Thomas Tuchel’s squad should fully embrace their status as one of the tournament’s frontrunners.
“Really low, still,” Haaland responded when asked about Norway’s chances of winning the trophy. “I think there are clear favorites out there, and England is one of them. I believe all of you [reporters] should put every bit of pressure on the English players,” he added with a laugh.
The Manchester City striker, who was born in Leeds, remarked, “It’s definitely a special game. For me, it’s super special because I play in England and was born there, plus I’ll be going up against some teammates.”
“It’s a funny game, and it will be enjoyable,” he added.
When queried if England fans should “stay humble,” referencing a previous comment he made during a Premier League match against Arsenal in September 2024, Haaland replied, “I think everyone should remain humble. They should definitely feel confident about advancing; it’s England, after all.” He then succinctly answered “Yeah, definitely” when asked whether the pressure is on the Three Lions.
Haaland’s comments align with the laid-back attitude he showcased earlier in the tournament.
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Prior to Norway’s final group stage match against France, where he was benched amid nine roster changes as Les Bleus triumphed 4-1, Haaland stated he “didn’t care much” about the result. “We got through, which is incredible,” he mentioned. “So I couldn’t focus too much on that game now. They [France] are probably going to beat us and win the whole tournament.”
Norway then achieved a historic victory by defeating Brazil in the round of 16 after overcoming Ivory Coast. Haaland scored in both matches, netting a brace against the five-time champions.
“Playing against Brazil was a surreal experience for us Norwegians. To emerge victorious against Brazil and then face England in the World Cup quarterfinals in the USA is quite special,” Haaland remarked on Thursday. “Just think about the scenes back in Norway; it’s not typical for us, so it’s incredibly special.”
Norway will clash with England in Miami on Saturday, with the winner advancing to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals.
This report includes information from PA.