Erling Haaland exits after England win
Erling Braut Haaland and Norway exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup after England earned a 2-1 extra-time quarterfinal victory at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026, after a closely contested match in Florida.
Andreas Schjelderup scored in the 36th minute. Jude Bellingham equalized during first-half stoppage time, then added the goal in the 93rd minute to send England into a semifinal against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
Erling Haaland finishes with 7 goals
Erling Haaland completed his first senior World Cup with 7 goals across 5 appearances. The 25-year-old entered the quarterfinal among the tournament’s leading scorers but could not increase his total against England in Miami, Florida.
Haaland scored twice against Iraq, added 2 against Senegal, found the net against the Ivory Coast, and delivered both goals during Norway’s 2-1 round-of-16 victory over Brazil, securing the country’s first-ever quarterfinal appearance.
Jude Bellingham leads England’s rally
Jude Bellingham produced both England goals after Norway moved ahead before halftime. His equalizer came during the second minute of first-half stoppage time, while his winner arrived 3 minutes into the period of extra time.
The victory carried England into its fourth men’s World Cup semifinal, following earlier appearances in 1966, 1990, and 2018. Thomas Tuchel’s team advanced despite trailing for about 11 minutes during the first half in Miami.
Norway reaches its first quarterfinal
Norway reached the quarterfinals for the first time after returning to the World Cup following a 28-year absence. Its previous tournament appearance came in France in 1998, when the team reached the round of 16.
The 2026 run became Norway’s best men’s World Cup finish. Earlier campaigns ended in the round of 16 during 1938 and 1998, while the 1994 team left after group play in the United States tournament.
FIFA expands the World Cup field
The 2026 FIFA World Cup became the first men’s edition with 48 teams, up from 32. FIFA scheduled 104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, up from 64 in 2022.
Norway used the expanded tournament to build its longest World Cup campaign. The team progressed from group play, defeated Ivory Coast in the round of 32, then overcame Brazil before meeting England in the quarterfinals.
Erling Haaland explains England ties
Erling Haaland was born in Leeds on July 21, 2000, while his father played in England. His family moved to Bryne, Norway, when he was 3, shaping the national identity that would inform his later international career.
Haaland represented Norway at several youth levels before making his senior debut in September 2019. He also recalled receiving an England shirt before a Norway shirt, reflecting his early connection with both countries during childhood.
Erling Haaland backs several teams
Erling Haaland said he wanted England to perform well after Norway’s elimination, while also noting that his Manchester City teammates remained with France and Spain at the semifinal stage. He therefore avoided choosing one preferred champion among the teams still competing at that point.
Manchester City had Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, and James Trafford with England. Rayan Cherki represented France, while Rodri captained Spain, giving Haaland close club connections across 3 semifinal teams.
Alexander Sørloth misses key opening
Alexander Sørloth faced a 2-against-1 break while Norway led in the 44th minute. He attempted to finish directly instead of passing toward Haaland, but England defender John Stones blocked the effort before halftime.
Sørloth later explained that Stones closed the passing lane. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken advised players to avoid social media after the match, following intense criticism directed at the forward over the missed opening in Miami.
Miami heat tests Norway and England
Temperatures reached 92°F during warmups at Miami Stadium, while humidity made conditions feel like 104°F. The quarterfinal went to extra time, creating a demanding environment for both teams in the late-afternoon match in Florida.
Ståle Solbakken said fatigue and a minor leg problem contributed to Haaland’s substitution. The forward left at halftime of extra time, before Norway began the final 15-minute period without its leading scorer on the field.
FIFA sets the semifinal schedule
Spain beat France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026, in the first semifinal. England faces Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, with the winner advancing to the July 19 final against Spain in New Jersey.
All 4 semifinalists have previously won the men’s World Cup. Argentina entered as the defending champion, while England, France, and Spain each advanced through separate quarterfinal victories during the tournament’s final week in North America.
Manchester City prepares Haaland’s return
Manchester City appointed Enzo Maresca on June 29, 2026, under a 3-year contract. His first competitive match is currently scheduled against Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Manchester City also scheduled preseason matches against Inter Milan, the K League All-Stars, and Atlético Madrid. The club’s Premier League season begins against AFC Bournemouth on August 23, giving Haaland several weeks before league competition resumes.
Norway welcomes its World Cup team
More than 100,000 supporters gathered in Oslo on July 13 to welcome Norway’s team home. Players visited the Royal Palace, joined a public parade, and reached City Hall Square after their World Cup quarterfinal run.
Haaland missed the final ceremony because his flight was delayed, Reuters reported. Crown Prince Haakon joined players during the welcome, while crowds celebrated the national team’s return to the tournament after a 28-year absence.
The World Cup faces another serious issue as FIFA investigates alleged racist abuse directed at streamer IShowSpeed. Dive into what reportedly happened and explore how football’s governing body may respond.
Norway records its best World Cup finish
Norway’s quarterfinal finish established a new national benchmark after 3 earlier World Cup appearances. The 2026 team played 6 matches, extending its campaign beyond every previous Norwegian side in its senior men’s World Cup history.
Haaland said Norway must maintain the standards shown during the tournament and seek regular places at future World Cups and European Championships. His 7 goals provided the clearest measure of Norway’s improved competitive level in 2026.
That result settled one major World Cup storyline, but Kylian Mbappé may have created another involving Lionel Messi and FIFA after the Morocco drama. Dive into what happened and explore the message behind his reaction.
Norway’s historic run ended against England, but Erling Haaland still finished with 7 goals. How do you rate his first World Cup and Norway’s future prospects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
