Haaland ups the ante ahead of England showdown
Erling Haaland has started the mind games ahead of Norway's clash with England, which he claims is the clear favourite to win their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final on Sunday (AEST).
Norway, featuring at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, and England face off in Miami with a place in the last four on the line.
England and Norway have met 12 times prior, with this their first meeting since a 1-0 friendly win for the Three Lions in September 2014.
Overall, Norway has won just two of those 12 matches, losing seven of them, and failing to score in any of the past four.
Haaland has scored in each of his past 14 competitive outings for Norway – 27 goals in total – finding the back of the net in all four of his appearances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far for a total of seven goals at the tournament.
However, Haaland sees England as being the big favourite to progress.
"I think everyone should stay humble – but they should be confident of progressing, definitely," Haaland said of England.
"I think there are some clear favourites out there.
"I think England is one of them, so I think every single one of you should put pressure on the English lads."
England has been eliminated from five of its past six FIFA World Cup knockout-round matches against European opposition and each of its past three in succession.
Its most recent such defeat saw it lose 2-1 to France at the quarter-final stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
"It's a special game, definitely," added Haaland, who was born in England and is one of the stars of its Premier League.
"I think for me, it's super special because I play in England, and I'm born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything.
"So it's a bit, not weird, but it's a funny game, and it's going to be nice."
England came through a frantic Round of 16 tie with Mexico City battered and bruised, and the Three Lions have also discovered that Jarell Quansah, who was sent off in that match, has received a two-game ban.
Dan Burn came on from the bench to help England see off Mexico, making a joint-game-high six clearances despite only playing 26 minutes.
The Newcastle United man is relishing going up against Haaland, who has only scored once in eight attempts against the giant defender.
He said: "I do enjoy playing against Erling purely just from a physical point of view.
"I quite like that sort of physical battle, and I get on well with him on the pitch. We do get on quite well, although you'd have to ask him if he thinks the same thing.
"If I'm asked to do that, I'll be more than ready and more than happy to do that.
"But obviously I also know that we've got sort of four other centre halves here who are also top-quality players and have played this whole tournament because of that too."
