Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, celebrated Norway’s 4‑1 triumph over Italy in Milan, sealing the country’s first World Cup spot in 28 years. The win confirmed qualification for the 2026 tournament, a milestone Haaland said felt “missing” after Qatar 2022 and Euro 2024. His performance in qualifying earned him 16 goals.

During the November match, Haaland netted two quick goals in the final minutes, a feat he matched in eight qualifiers—more than any teammate. His 55 international goals in 50 games underscore his scoring prowess. The qualification lifts Norway into a group that includes France, Spain and the United States, setting a tough stage for fans.

Haaland, born in Leeds but raised in Bryne, recalls never seeing Norway at a World Cup. He invested 1.3 million krones—about $136,000—to acquire a rare Viking book, donating it to a Bryne library. The gesture reflects his pride and the cultural significance he feels for the nation’s return to the world’s biggest stage.

Ahead of the U.S. tournament, Haaland eyes a clash with Kylian Mbappé at Gillette Stadium on June 26. He acknowledges the group’s difficulty, noting historic upsets like Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina in 2022. For Haaland, the primary goal remains qualification; any progress beyond that is a bonus, he says for the team and fans.