Haaland Faces England for Norway in World Cup Quarterfinal After Leaving Leeds at Age 3
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 11
Haaland Faces England for Norway in World Cup Quarterfinal After Leaving Leeds at Age 3
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 11
Summary
Leeds-born Erling Haaland is set to lead Norway against England in the World Cup quarterfinal, despite having been theoretically eligible to play for England.
Age 3 proved decisive: after his family left England for Bryne, Haaland grew up in Norway, developed there as a player and said choosing Norway was the natural decision.
England never mounted a serious push, according to former FA staff and Gareth Southgate, who said Haaland was already embedded in Norway’s youth setup by the time he emerged.
The 25-year-old still embraces his English roots through Leeds and Manchester City, but enters the match as Norway’s talisman after scoring 7 goals to drive its first quarterfinal run since 1998.