A touching message from Haaland after bidding farewell to the World Cup

Norwegian star Erling Haaland delivered a heartfelt message following his country's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing that Norway left the tournament with their heads held high after achieving their best-ever result by reaching the quarter-finals, despite a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England. The Manchester City striker expressed his pride in the level of performance the Norwegian team displayed throughout the tournament, noting that they were close to progressing further, but small details ultimately decided the match in England's favor. Haaland said after the game: "We played a strong match against England, but these kinds of matches are decided by details. If some moments had gone differently, the result might have been different." The Norwegian captain stressed that the true achievement wasn't simply reaching the quarter-finals or the historic victory over Brazil in the round of 16, but rather establishing Norway's name among the world's elite teams. He added: "I think we've put Norway on the world football map, and that's what I'm most proud of. We have a special generation of players, and I hope this tournament will be a springboard for even greater success in future competitions." Haaland pointed out that participating in the 2026 World Cup was a turning point for him and for Norwegian football, explaining that the experience would give the national team a significant boost in the coming years. Speaking about the tournament champion he hopes will win the title, the Manchester City striker revealed his support for England after Norway's elimination, saying, "I hope England continues its successful run. When I was young, I owned an England jersey before I owned a Norwegian one." Haaland also singled out his former Borussia Dortmund teammate, Jude Bellingham, for high praise after his outstanding performance in leading England to the semi-finals, affirming that he is one of the best players in the world right now. He concluded his remarks by saying, "Bellingham is an exceptional player, and I don't understand the extent of the criticism he sometimes receives. He scores, assists, dribbles, and influences matches, and England is lucky to have a player with such capabilities."