England fans are urging Erling Haaland to have a poor performance in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, hoping to help bring football home to his birthplace—England. The Norway striker, born in Leeds in 2000 while his father Alf-Inge played for Leeds United, admitted the match would be a 'funny game' given his English roots.
Haaland's English Roots
Haaland was born in Leeds and lived in England until age three, when his family returned to Norway. As a child, he was even pictured wearing an England shirt. Despite this, he was recruited into Norway's youth system and has since scored 62 goals in 54 appearances for the senior team, including seven goals in four games at this World Cup.
Fans have taken to social media and forums to plead with the striker to take it easy. Plumber Mark Ward, 41, said: 'Haaland? He's Yorkshire through and through. He should bring football home—to Leeds. Take a day off, you've earned it.' Delivery driver Andy Proctor, 52, added: 'If he's got divided loyalties the best thing he could do is nothing. Sit back and let the rest sort it out.'
Haaland's Own Words
Haaland has previously acknowledged his English connection. In an interview with Manchester City's website, he said: 'When I signed for City I said I feel a bit home... I feel a bit at home now I'm living in the UK.' He also told The Gentleman's Journal he gets 'flashbacks' to his childhood in England. Asked if he could have played for England, he said: 'Maybe if my father had played longer in England... maybe I would be English. But I'm Norwegian and I'm proud of it.'
Ahead of the quarter-final, Haaland said: 'It's a special game, yeah definitely. I think for me it's super special because I play in England and I'm born in England.' He also heaped pressure on England by calling them favourites, while urging fans to 'stay humble'.
No Chance of Snaring Haaland
Former England manager Gareth Southgate said in 2020 that England had no chance of recruiting Haaland: 'When he broke into first-team football he was pretty much already in the Norwegian youth system... We recruit early but we wouldn't have been into him when he was still in Yorkshire.'
