Erling Haaland has known as Norway’s World Cup marketing campaign “completely improbable” and defended captain Martin Odegaard after their 3-2 win over Senegal to arrange a showdown with France for the correct to high Group I.
Having scored twice throughout the first half of his nation’s opening 4-1 win over Iraq, Haaland repeated the feat with a second-half double in opposition to the Lions of Teranga to make sure he has scored two extra targets than any of his compatriots within the historical past of the match.
“It’s up there with the largest nights I’ve ever had in my whole life – each in opposition to Iraq and [Senegal],” mentioned Haaland.
“We all know how necessary Martin is to us; he’s our captain, so his place within the workforce is a given. There’ll all the time be criticism.”
World Cup 2026: What criticism did Odegaard face in Norway?
Commentators in Norway are mentioned to have been unimpressed by Odegaard’s efficiency in opposition to Iraq, with Reuters additionally describing the midfielder’s show as “showing off the tempo” and “failing to supply his typical artistic fluency”.
“Many gamers felt, after the Iraq sport, that they had extra to present individually,” the outlet reported participant liaison officer Brede Hangeland to have mentioned.
“Martin could be utterly sincere about that, too. We anticipate that we will look stronger, each individually and collectively, within the subsequent match.”
Odegaard’s season for Premier League winners Arsenal was interrupted by bodily points together with two knee accidents, and Haaland mentioned the 27-year-old was going through acquainted stress for Norway’s gamers as they method their group finale in opposition to France.
“If we play France now and I don’t rating in opposition to France, I’m positively going to get criticised,” urged Haaland, who was the runaway Premier League high scorer for Manchester Metropolis in 2025/26.
“That’s simply how it’s. I truthfully assume there are many others who discover and take note of that stuff far more than I do with regards to criticism.
“It’s actually the very last thing I care about. There’s not way more to say about it.”
World Cup 2026: Haaland on Norway vs Senegal
On their return to the finals following a 28-year absence, Norway have now gained extra matches than they ever have at a single version of the match.
“I’ve mentioned for a very long time that I need to obtain issues with Norway,” mentioned Haaland. “I need to qualify for the World Cup, the EURO and principally all the things there’s.
“It comes again to exhibiting that it’s potential regardless of the place you come from. Wherever you come from, it’s potential to play for the nationwide workforce and play on the largest stage… for those who go searching you right here, it’s undeniably that.
“It’s completely improbable. Wanting up on the stands and seeing my mum and my complete household there means loads.
“It’s big, and I hope they really feel the identical approach – which I’m positive they do. It’s very nice.”
Haaland mentioned the expertise was akin to changing into a European champion with Metropolis in 2023. “It’s an analogous sort of feeling,” he mirrored.
“The Champions League ultimate units the bar so excessive, so I’m simply extremely proud to be part of it.”
World Cup 2026 high scorers: Haaland chases golden boot
A stellar solid of strikers are main the early top-scorer standings in a single key subplot up to now on the finals.
Hours earlier than Haaland struck once more, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added to his hat-trick on matchday one with one other two targets and Kylian Mbappe scored twice for a second successive match.
Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David have been on three targets after two matches, whereas European golden shoe winner Harry Kane scored twice in England’s opening match.
| Participant | Nation | Objectives | Assists | Matches |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Kylian Mbappe | France | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Erling Haaland | Norway | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Deniz Undav | Germany | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Jonathan David | Canada | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Norway World Cup 2026 fixtures, schedule
Right here’s when Norway face France. Each groups are assured to advance, with Les Bleus profitable the group if the match is drawn.
| Date | Venue | BST begin time | ET | PT |
| June 26 | Boston | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 |
