Erling Haaland Balances Training and Fun Ahead of FIFA World Cup Opener
Haaland's Pre-World Cup Routine
As Norway gears up for their FIFA World Cup debut against Iraq in Foxborough, Erling Haaland, the star player from Manchester City, is keeping busy with a mix of training, leisure activities, and sharing parenting advice.
In the lead-up to the match, Haaland engages in various activities such as golfing, playing video games, and even offering parenting tips to his teammate Leo Ostigard, who is about to become a father. While Haaland welcomed his child last year, Ostigard will miss the birth of his first baby due to the tournament, marking Norway's first World Cup appearance since 1998.
During a chat on Norway's World Cup YouTube channel, "Spillerhotellet" (The Players' Hotel), Haaland shared his advice for Ostigard, whose wife is expected to give birth soon. He emphasized the importance of being present for the birth, stating, "That is the first tip I would give him! It will be a new daily routine for him, a tough time, but it is a lovely time as well."
The team's training base in Greensboro, North Carolina, has not only been a hub for rigorous practice but also a place for relaxation and camaraderie. Haaland has introduced Ostigard to golf as part of their downtime activities.
Ostigard remarked, "There has been a lot of golf; I am a beginner, and Erling is quite skilled, so it has been enjoyable to play together."
Haaland added, "Everyone has their own way of unwinding. Some play cards, but we prefer golf, joking around, and indulging in games like (Super) Mario and Pokemon. We know how to have fun together."
Eager to kick off the tournament, Haaland expressed his anticipation, saying he is "starting to get a bit restless" and is ready to push through to the first match, hoping for a successful outcome.
Norway is placed in Group I alongside France, Iraq, and Senegal. This marks only the fourth time Norway has participated in the FIFA World Cup, with their best performance being a round of 16 finish in 1998.
Norway squad includes:
-Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik.
-Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Fredrik Bjorkan, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langas, Torbjorn Heggem, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Julian Ryerson, David Moller Wolfe, Leo Ostigard.
-Midfielders: Thelonious Aasgaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Morten Thorsby, Kristian Thorstvedt, Martin Odegaard.
-Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Alexander Sorloth.