Erling Haaland has conquered Europe at an unprecedented pace. With a trophy collection that includes the Champions League and multiple Golden Boots, the Manchester City striker seems to have no ceiling. However, behind his out-of-this-world statistics, there is a fervent human desire that he has yet to fulfill: making his debut in a FIFA World Cup

For Haaland, Norway's absence from major international tournaments has become an unfinished business that fuels an evident competitive anxiety. After missing out on Qatar 2022, the striker has made it clear to both his inner circle and the press that his absolute priority is leading his nation to the 2026 World Cup

The Weight of a Nation

Unlike other stars who shine in historically powerhouse national teams, Haaland carries the responsibility of bringing Norway back to a World Cup for the first time since 1998. 'Playing in a World Cup is every child's dream, and I am no exception,' he recently confessed. This eagerness does not stem from insecurity, but from a hunger for glory that only the grandest stages can satisfy.

An Ideal Scenario

The new FIFA format for 2026, featuring 48 teams, opens a golden door for the Nordic side. With a generation that includes Martin Ødegaard and a Haaland in his physical and mental prime, the excuses are over. The football world is also anxious; the absence of the best 'number nine' on the planet from the most important tournament is a void that few want to see repeated.

For the 'Android', 2026 is not just a date on the calendar; it is the opportunity to prove that his dominance is not limited to club football, but that he is capable of carrying an entire country toward sporting immortality. The countdown has begunThe new FIFA format for 2026, featuring 48 teams, opens a golden door for the Nordic side. With a generation that includes Martin Ødegaard and a Haaland in his physical and mental prime, the excuses are over. The football world is also anxious; the absence of the best 'number nine' on the planet from the most important tournament is a void that few want to see repeated.