‘I was watching it from the sidelines’: Erling Haaland reflects on life-changing FIFA World Cup after England heartbreak

Erling Haaland says Norway’s 2026 World Cup campaign has changed him as a person after the team’s run ended in a quarter-final defeat by England.Norway’s journey to the World Cup ended after extra time 2:1 with England. Despite the result, Haaland said playing on football’s biggest stage and representing his country was an experience he would always remember.“These things are unreal; I think it’s changed me as a person. I think my profile has grown a bit, shall we say, and… It’s hard to process it all when I look back at the games now, but it’s incredibly special to be part of an event like this – something I once watched from the sidelines and now I’m living it first-hand, according to the FI website.He also spoke of the pride he felt in Norway’s performances and the support the team received during the tournament.“I feel immense pride and I’m really moved when I think back to how well we played, the sense of unity in Norway and the positivity and joy we felt there and here,” he added.Norway started strongly in the quarter-finals in Miami, taking the lead through Andreas Schjelderup. Haaland also tested England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the opening stages.However, Jude Bellingham equalized in first-half stoppage time before scoring again in extra time after Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland parried Morgan Rogers’ effort.England eventually won 2-1 to book a semi-final against defending champions Argentina, ending Norway’s best ever FIFA World Cup campaign.The quarter-finals were a milestone for Norway, who, after qualifying for the tournament for the first time since 1998, reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time in history.Despite the exit, Haaland had a productive tournament. The striker scored in all three group stage matches and also found the net in the 32nd and 16th round, finishing as Norway’s leading scorer with seven goals.