Erling Haaland is Norway’s superhuman striker

A Major Moment

This is Haaland’s first FIFA World Cup and Norway’s first appearance in 28 years. Outside of friendlies, Norway has only played in the relatively new UEFA Nations League, where Haaland has scored 19 goals across three tournaments—four more than Cristiano Ronaldo in four tournaments. Neutrals are in for a potentially historic individual run now that Haaland has gained entry to the tournament. He already owns the FIFA U-20 World Cup single-game goal scoring record after netting nine goals in Norway’s 12-0 win over Honduras in 2019. Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals for France in the 1958 FIFA World Cup feels insurmountable, yet keeping Haaland off the scoresheet is usually equally insurmountable.

Norway at the World Cup

Ranked 37th in the FIFA team rankings, Norway will compete in Group I which probably didn’t feel like much of a reward for its long-awaited return. France, the current world No. 1, headlines the group as they seek a third-straight FIFA World Cup final appearance. Senegal currently ranks 14th and is in form after a strong run to the finals in the 2025 African Cup of Nations. Iraq is the lowest-ranked team in the group at 57th. France is likely to win the group, but Haaland can have a massive influence on Norway advancing to the knockouts Against Iraq, could Haaland break Oleg Salenko’s record of five goals in a single match—coincidentally set during FIFA World Cup 1994 in the United States—giving his country a huge boost in goal differential? Could Norway earn at least a draw against Senegal and/or France? Certainly, in that scenario, you’d have to imagine that Norway would continue on and Haaland could have the golden boot locked up.

• Norway vs Iraq — June 16 — 6 p.m. ET from Foxborough, MA (Gillette Stadium)
• Norway vs Senegal — June 22 — 8 p.m. ET from East Rutherford, NJ (MetLife Stadium)
• Norway vs France — June 26 — 3 p.m. ET from Foxborough, MA (Gillette Stadium) *Verizon fuels soccer culture and community impact year-round – uniting fans, supporting local businesses and creating unforgettable moments that celebrate the global game.*