Norway head coach Stale Solbakken believes Erling Haaland will play a crucial role in the country’s bid for a successful campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Europeans will make their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, marking a long-awaited return to the global football showpiece.
Haaland was instrumental in Norway’s successful qualification campaign, netting 16 goals to finish as the leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifying worldwide.
The forward’s closest competitors in Europe were Austria’s Marko Arnautovic, England captain Harry Kane and Netherlands all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay – all of whom netted eight times.
Solbakken Hails ‘Top Guy’ Haaland
Erling Haaland is a very easy guy to coach,” Solbakken said in a chat with FIFA.com.
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“He wants the best for the team, he loves to be with his team-mates and he loves to have fun with all the staff around the team. He’s a very easy-going superstar.”
Tough Draw For Norway
Norway have been handed a tricky draw — with Qatar 2022 finalists France, Iraq and Senegal and awaiting in Group I.
Solbakken said they can’t be afraid going into the tournament.
“When you get to the World Cup for the first time in many years, I don’t think you should think about the expectations too much,” Solbakken said.
“You have to take them with you, and hopefully we can play in the same manner we played in the qualification games.
“I don’t think we have anything to fear, but having said that, we are in a very hard group against maybe one of the favourites so it will be very tough no matter what.”
