With Haaland also battling stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe for the tournament’s Golden Boot, many expected him to start against France in the final Group I match.

However, in a decision which has surprised many fans, Haaland won’t start against France in a match with a lot of implications individually and collectively. There’s an important reason to explain the move.

Why isn’t Erling Haaland playing against France?

The decision is purely tactical. Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has chosen to rest Erling Haaland after the team officially secured qualification for the Round of 32. With the primary objective already accomplished, the coaching staff does not want to risk its most important player before the knockout stage begins.

Why is Norway resting Erling Haaland?

Norway are thinking beyond the group stage. If they finish in second place of Group I, the Scandinavian side will face Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 next Tuesday, leaving only a short recovery period between matches. It is the same reason Martin Odegaard isn’t starting today against France.

Because of that quick turnaround, Solbakken wants his key players fresh and fully fit for the knockout rounds rather than risking fatigue or injury against France. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps isn’t coaching France against Norway today due to personal reasons.

Is Haaland still in the Golden Boot race?

Absolutely. Despite missing the start against France, Erling Haaland remains one of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot with four goals. His explosive performances against Iraq and Senegal have placed him alongside stars such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race to finish as the World Cup’s top scorer. If Norway advance deep into the tournament, Haaland will have plenty of opportunities to add to his tally.

Could Erling Haaland play later in the match vs France?

That remains a possibility. If Norway need a result or Solbakken wants to give his striker a few minutes to stay sharp before the Round of 32, Haaland could feature off the bench. For now, however, Norway’s priority is making sure their biggest star is fully rested and ready for the knockout stage.

Instead of the familiar “Haaland” seen every week with Manchester City, his shirt reads “Braut Haaland“, sparking curiosity across social media and among broadcasters. The change isn’t a FIFA requirement or a mistake.

“Braut” is the maiden surname of Haaland’s mother, former Norwegian heptathlete Gry Marita Braut, while “Haaland” comes from his father, former Premier League player Alf-Inge Haaland.

Is “Braut Haaland” Erling Haaland’s full legal name?

Erling Braut Haaland is the striker’s full legal name. The 2026 World Cup has simply introduced millions of fans to the full version of the Norwegian star’s name because he now wears “Braut Haaland” on the back of his national team jersey.

By combining both surnames, he is recognizing both sides of his family, a practice that is becoming increasingly common in Norway and other Scandinavian countries.

Has Erling Haaland always worn “Braut Haaland” for Norway?

No! Erling Haaland only began wearing “Braut Haaland” on his Norway jersey in 2025. Before then, the prolific forward wore the same “Haaland” name that appears on the back of his Manchester City shirt.

The Norwegian Football Federation confirmed the change ahead of the September 2025 international window. His first matches with the updated jersey came in a friendly against Finland and during Norway’s qualifying campaign.

Many casual fans only noticed the switch during the World Cup because Norway had not appeared in the tournament since 1998. With him leading his country’s return, the different name on his jersey quickly became a trend.

Why doesn’t Haaland wear “Braut Haaland” for Manchester City?

Erling continues to wear only “Haaland” for Manchester City because he has chosen to reserve “Braut Haaland” for international duty with Norway. The decision allows him to honor his family heritage.

The striker has worn “Haaland” throughout his professional club career, including spells with Bryne, Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. The shorter surname has become one of the most recognizable brands.

International soccer gives players greater flexibility regarding the names displayed on their jerseys, provided they comply with competition regulations. Wearing “Braut Haaland” with Norway is a personal tribute to his mother’s family.

Following the victory, Norway definitively secure at least second place and will battle France for the top spot on the final matchday. This validates their great performance to advance as the absolute leader of their sector. If they secure the top spot, the pairing criteria dictate that they will face one of the second-place teams from other groups or one of the best third-place teams. This theoretically more accessible path opens up a wide range of national teams from various continents.

World Cup simulations point to Norway‘s main opponent in the Round of 32 being none other than Sweden or Japan of Group F, depending on their result in the match. The Swedish squad is currently stalled in third place in Group F with three points after recently falling at the hands of Netherlands. This takes into account that the best position Viktor Gyokeres and company could opt for would be second place, right behind group leaders the Netherlands.

How the best third-place teams will be decided in the final Matchday

To define the best eight nations that finish in third place in their group during the 2026 World Cup, the following criteria will be used:

• Highest number of points obtained in matches between the national teams in question.
• Greatest goal difference in matches between the national teams in question.
• Most goals scored in matches between the national teams in question.

In case they remain tied after applying the first three criteria, these same criteria will be considered in which each team has faced the remaining national teams. If it remains unresolved, the following will be considered:

• Greatest goal difference in all group matches.
• Most goals scored in all group matches.
• Most points obtained for sporting conduct.

The final step will be to define a tiebreaker according to the position of the national teams in the latest FIFA ranking. This setup will result in a more than interesting Matchday 3, which will feature simultaneous games to avoid conflicts. We are talking about 6 games per day.

How Norway defeated Senegal

Norway beat Senegal thanks to a goal from Holmgren Pedersen in the 43rd minute, followed by Erling Haaland, who scored a brace at the start of the second half. Haaland netted in the 48th minute and, just 10 minutes later, closed his brace in the 58th minute. He now has 4 goals in the World Cup and remains firmly in the hunt for the Golden Boot. Ismaila Sarr pulled a brace for Senegal in the 53rd and 90+3 minutes.

During a recent press conference, Mbappe was asked a direct question: “Who’s the best between you, Messi, Haaland, or Kane?” The French superstar did not hesitate with his response. “Messi is the best together with Cristiano Ronaldo,“ Mbappe said. “For 16 years, they have shown the extraordinary quality they possess. I just try to do what I know how to do: show my quality on the biggest stage possible and help my national team.”

All of these elite goal scorers are chasing a historic milestone with their respective countries. Argentina look for a fourth star in Messi’s highly anticipated “last dance,” while Portugal aim to secure the one prestigious trophy missing from Ronaldo‘s legendary cabinet.

Meanwhile, France look to secure a second title for Mbappe and another consecutive final appearance. England look to make history with Kane leading the line, and Norway hope to revive their competitive edge behind Haaland.

Mbappe admits he trails Messi in all-time goals

Mbappe addressed the ongoing race with Lionel Messi to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, acknowledging that the Argentine icon is always one step ahead of him.

“I already knew Messi was going to keep scoring goals. He always does,” Mbappe stated. “He is ahead, and I am behind. I will keep scoring to help my national team go as far as possible.” A potential tournament rematch between the two stars would provide immense drama, especially after they delivered one of the greatest finals in sports history four years ago.

Messi netted a historic hat-trick in his 2026 opener, matching Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals. Meanwhile, Mbappé currently sits at 14 goals following his clinical performance against Senegal.

World Cup Golden Boot race heats up

When fans hear the names Haaland, Mbappe, Kane, Messi, and Ronaldo, goals are the first thing that comes to mind. The 2026 tournament is already living up to that expectation early in the group stage, as nearly all of them found the back of the net in their opening matches—with Cristiano Ronaldo being the lone exception.

Messi scored a historic hat-trick against Algeria to lead the tournament’s scoring charts alongside Germany’s Deniz Undav. Meanwhile, Mbappe, Haaland, and Kane each recorded braces in their respective debuts, firmly establishing themselves in the Golden Boot conversation as each squad looks to make a deep knockout run.

In total, 24 English-born players are playing for nations other than England at the World Cup, highlighting the increasingly global nature of the sport. It’s a remarkable number.

From Erling Haaland with Norway to Scott McTominay with Scotland, English-born talent can be found across several continents. The list is really impressive for the tournament.

Which countries are represented by English-born players?

A total of 10 national teams at the 2026 World Cup feature players born in England. DR Congo has Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Aaron Tshibola. Iraq is represented by Zidane Iqbal.

Ghana’s squad includes Antoine Semenyo, Jerome Opoku, and Brandon Thomas-Asante. New Zealand features Tommy Smith, Joe Bell, and Matthew Garbett.

Scotland has perhaps the largest contingent, with Scott McTominay, Tyler Fletcher, Angus Gunn, Che Adams, and George Hirst. Canada is represented by Owen Goodman, Luc de Fougerolles, and Alfie Jones.

The United States includes Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna, and Sebastian Berhalter. France has Michael Olise, Switzerland features Marvin Keller, and Norway is represented by Erling Haaland and Thelo Aasgaard.

Which team has the most English-born players?

Scotland lead the way with five English-born players in its World Cup squad. The close ties between England and Scotland have long produced players eligible for both national teams, with several choosing to represent their family heritage. Ghana, Canada, and New Zealand each have three English-born players, while DR Congo, the United States, and Norway have two apiece.

After Messi put on a show at Kansas City Stadium, Haaland took to his social media with a simple message. The Norwegian star couldn’t have said it best. “Messi is a madman,” Haaland wrote on a Snapchat story.

Thanks to his hat trick, Messi tied Miroslav Klose’s goal record in World Cup history. As the 2026 World Cup is only just getting started for Argentina, it seems a matter of time before the Argentine legend takes sole possession of first place.

As for Haaland, his brace in his World Cup debut is also a strong indicator of what he could achieve. Maybe one day, it will be Haaland who chases Messi and Klose’s record.

How did Messi fare in World Cup debut?

Although Haaland has dropped the ultimate praise for Messi, the respect between the two greats is a two-way street. Haaland has yet to record a hat trick in a World Cup match, but he is well on track to do so. If his first game is any indication, it may not take him long.

Messi needed until his 27th World Cup appearance to score three goals in a single match. Haaland’s brace on his debut is something not even Messi achieved. As for Messi, he scored a goal in his first World Cup match (a 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro), but he came on as a substitute. In his first World Cup start, he went goalless against the Netherlands.

For those wondering how Erling Haaland’s World Cup debut compares to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s debut in soccer’s biggest tournament, it’s safe to say the Norwegian has the upper hand. If sticking entirely to the 2026 World Cup, though, advantage Messi. Ronaldo will have the final say, however, when he takes on Uzbekistan with Portugal.

Haaland’s debut was vastly superior to the ones that Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi had. Haaland managed to score two goals in the first half of the match and one kind of assist for an own goal by Iraq. He scored one in the 29th minute and another in the 43rd minute, giving the lead for the victory to Norway, who have a top position in the FIFA ranking, securing three key points.

Haaland was, without a doubt, the most influential player for Norway in the debut. In addition to the two goals and his dominant presence in the attack, he recorded six shots. four of those shots went on target with two goals scored, showing tremendous effectiveness.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup debut

Messi entered the group stage match of the 2006 World Cup against Serbia on June 16 in the 75th minute. He contributed with one goal and one assist in the 6-0 victory for Argentina. This performance remains below the debut of Haaland, considering the context and situation of the matches.

On the other hand, Ronaldo was 21 years old in his first World Cup match, featuring as a starter for Portugal against Angola in the group stage of the 2006 tournament on June 11. He could not score, received a yellow card, and was substituted at the 60th minute in a match that Portugal won 1-0. More was already expected from him since he was one of the stars of Manchester United at that time.

How many World Cup braces do Messi and Ronaldo have?

Lionel Messi, who is one of the top scorers, accumulates a total of two braces throughout his World Cup participations, while Cristiano Ronaldo has no official braces in his history in the tournament. The Portuguese star skipped that box entirely, since the only match of his World Cup career in which he scored more than one goal ended up becoming a hat trick.

For Messi, his first brace arrived in the group stage of Brazil 2014 during the 3-2 victory against Nigeria. However, his best brace was, without any discussion, the one from the Qatar 2022 final against France. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half and later appeared in extra time during the 108th minute to push the ball in following an assist from Lautaro Martinez.

Cristiano Ronaldo, due to the lack of a pure brace to compare, his best and most remembered scoring exhibition in a single World Cup match was his iconic hat trick against Spain in Russia 2018. This matchup featured his highly remembered amazing free-kick goal.

With Erling Haaland as their best player, Norway qualified for their fourth World Cup (1938, 1994, 1998, and now 2026) ranked at No. 31 in the FIFA world ranking. Their result in the 2026 World Cup could see them improve this position.

Their group might be considered as one of the toughest in the whole 2026 World Cup. In addition to Norway, it also includes perennial contenders France, AFCON powerhouses Senegal (15th in the FIFA ranking), and Iraq.

How does Norway compare to the rest of Group I?

According to the latest FIFA World Rankings, Norway are the third-ranked team in the group. The current standings are:

• France – 3rd
• Senegal – 15th
• Norway – 31st
• Iraq – 57th in the FIFA world ranking

What is Norway’s schedule in Group I?

Norway will begin their World Cup journey against the ultimate underdog of Group I before closing the group stage in Boston. They will play exclusively in the East Coast in the group stage.

• June 16: Norway vs. Iraq — Boston Stadium, Foxborough
• June 22: Norway vs. Senegal — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey
• June 26: Norway vs. France — Boston Stadium, Foxborough

In Group I, all four teams rely heavily on players born abroad. France features three players born overseas, while Senegal boasts a roster largely made up of players who were born in France.

For Norway, this dynamic applies to just two individuals: Erling Haaland and Thelo Aasgaard. Both players were born in the United Kingdom—Haaland in Leeds, and Aasgaard in Liverpool.

Why is Erling Haaland representing Norway and not England?

Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s star striker, was born in Leeds, England, on July 21, 2000, while his father, Alfie Haaland, was playing for Leeds United in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, he moved back to Norway three years later and was never close to representing the Three Lions. He later stated that representing Norway simply ‘felt natural’ for him.

Choosing Norway was always the primary option for the forward despite his eligibility for England. He has since become his nation’s all-time top scorer, boasting 55 goals in 50 appearances.

Thelo Aasgaard: A rising star for Norway

At 24 years old, Thelo Aasgaard is widely regarded as a rising star for the Norwegian national team. He was also eligible to represent England, having been born in Liverpool on May 2, 2002.

Aasgaard, an attacking midfielder who can also operate as a left winger, currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Given his immense talent, many pundits believe it is only a matter of time before he secures a move to a Premier League “Big Six” club.

Haaland wrapped up his domestic season with Manchester City just last weekend, while Odegaard is coming off a high-stakes Champions League final clash against PSG with Arsenal. Given the quick turnaround, the coaching staff opted to hand both stars a breather today, though they are expected to be fully locked and loaded for Norway’s next pre-tournament tune-up against Morocco on June 7.

In the meantime, Norway are gearing up to face Sweden in what promises to be an intense Scandinavian derby. The matchup serves as a vital scouting ground for the upcoming tournament in North America; both UEFA sides secured qualification, with Sweden are set to officially kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 14.

The return to the global stage is a massive milestone for both programs following recent tournament droughts. Sweden are making their return after missing out on Qatar 2022, while Norway have successfully punched their ticket to the big dance for the first time since 1998.

Who are replacing Haaland and Odegaard in the starting XI?

Because these high-profile friendlies double as a vital proving ground for squad depth, head coach Stale Solbakken will look to maximize his roster and evaluate key depth pieces in the absence of his two biggest stars.

Taking Haaland’s spot at the top of the formation is lethal striker Alexander Sorloth, while Manchester City prodigy Oscar Bobb will step into the midfield engine room to fill the creative void left by Odegaard. Bobb’s performance will be heavily scrutinized as he looks to cement a prominent role ahead of the trip to North America.

It remains to be seen how smoothly Norway can execute their tactical blueprint without their two primary focal points. They face a stern test against a dangerous Swedish side that has confirmed Anthony Elanga will lead the attack, though Newcastle star Alexander Isak will start the afternoon on the bench.

Cristiano Ronaldo has one Premier League Golden Boot. He won it during the 2007-2008 season with Manchester United. Hence, Haaland already has tripled what Ronaldo did in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland has 112 Premier League goals since joining Manchester City four years ago. Ronaldo played a total of eight Premier League seasons, where he scored 103 goals for Manchester United.

Who has more league top-scoring titles between Haaland and Ronaldo?

Career-wise, Ronaldo has ended as league top-scorer six times. One in the Premier League, three in LaLiga, one in Serie A, and twice in the Saudi Pro League. However, Ronaldo played as a winger for the first half of his career before transitioning into a full-on center forward. While Ronaldo scored to help Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League, it wasn’t enough for him to win the Golden Boot race this year.

As for Haaland, he only got the three Premier League Golden Boots. He failed to end as top-scorer in the Bundesliga and the Austrian Bundesliga despite being a prolific forward.

How far is Haaland from being the record-holder for most PL Golden Boots?

Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah have the record for most Premier League Golden Boots with four. Hence, Haaland is just one away from tying the record, and two away from being the sole record holder.

Given that Haaland is just 25 years old and there are no plans of him leaving, he could perfectly get those historic numbers. Also, there aren’t many huge prolific goalscorers right now, so competition is low for a guy like Haaland.