Erling Haaland Rallies Fans Ahead of Norway's Quarterfinal Clash with England
Haaland's Viking Spirit Shines Before Quarterfinal
In Florida, on July 11, Erling Haaland, the star striker for Norway and Manchester City, reached out to supporters as his team gears up for a monumental FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match against England. He drew inspiration from Norway's Viking heritage, emphasizing the significance of this pivotal game in their football journey.
The 'Viking Row' has become a beloved tradition among fans, who mimic the synchronized rowing of a Viking ship. This act symbolizes unity, strength, and a shared fighting spirit. Just as ancient Vikings rowed together before battle, contemporary Norwegian fans perform this gesture collectively to show their support for the national team.
Haaland also shared a sneak peek of his training session leading up to the crucial match against England, posting several images on social media.
In his post, he captioned it, "Quarter-final prep," indicating the seriousness of their preparations.
Check out his training photos here
During the previous match against Brazil, Haaland scored twice, bringing his total to seven goals in the tournament, tying him for the most goals by a player in their debut World Cup since Grzegorz Lato in 1974.
Norway secured their quarterfinal spot by defeating Brazil 2-1 in a stunning upset during the Round of 16.
On the other hand, England enters the quarterfinals following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca, thanks to Jude Bellingham's two goals, despite being down to ten players.
Historically, Norway has a slight edge, having won two of their last seven encounters with England, including a notable 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier back in 1981.