Despite being drawn into a tough group alongside one of the main title contenders, France, African powerhouse Senegal, and Iraq, the Norwegian side — which also features Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard — is confident of reaching the last 16 for the first time in its history.

Injuries to Ødegaard have left Haaland to shoulder the leadership burden during a near-perfect qualifying campaign.

The Manchester City forward scored 16 goals, while coach Ståle Solbakken’s side netted 37 goals across eight consecutive wins, including two emphatic victories over Italy that effectively ended their World Cup hopes.

He scored twice in the famous 4–1 win over Italy, a result he said changed perceptions of what the team could achieve ahead of the United States tournament.

Haaland was destined for stardom from an early age. The son of former Norway international Alf-Inge Haaland and heptathlon national champion Gry Marita Braut, he combines explosive pace with a towering frame (1.95m).

Carefully managed early in his career, Haaland made his professional debut for Bryne at just 15 before moving to Molde under former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2017.

Within two years, he joined Red Bull Salzburg, where his rise accelerated. In 2019, he scored nine goals in a 12–0 U-20 World Cup win over Honduras, announcing his extraordinary finishing ability.

His breakthrough came in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored eight goals in six matches in the 2019–20 season, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund.

After 86 goals in 89 appearances, he joined Manchester City for a €60 million release clause, going on to score 52 goals in his debut season and helping the club win a historic treble.

Overall, he has scored 162 goals in fewer than 200 appearances for City and has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times in four seasons.

On the international stage, he averages more than a goal per game with 55 goals in 49 appearances.

Born for the global stage, Haaland now finally has the platform he and Norway have long been waiting for.