Erling Haaland has placed significant pressure on England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final meeting in Miami, as Norway aim to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 1998. The Manchester City striker, who has scored seven goals in four matches during the tournament, emphasized that Norway enter the match as underdogs, with England widely regarded as favourites.
Speaking ahead of the game, Haaland described Norway’s progress to the quarter-finals, including a victory over Brazil, as unexpected even to himself. "To be in the quarters is quite surprising — even for me," he said. Haaland urged observers to focus their expectations on England, stating that they should bear the pressure during the encounter. When asked about Norway’s chances of winning the tournament, the 26-year-old maintained a cautious outlook, describing their chances as still very low but highlighting England as among the clear favourites.
Norway’s confidence contrasts with England’s preparations, where fitness and disciplinary concerns are notable factors. England manager Thomas Tuchel criticized aspects of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, specifically the use of still images and slow-motion replays, which he argued differ from the Premier League’s real-time review process. This criticism follows a recent controversial suspension and subsequent ban suspension involving England’s Folarin Balogun, prompting broader questions over competition integrity. UEFA criticized the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," while FIFA maintained the decision was made by an independent disciplinary committee.
Reece James returned to training after a hamstring injury and is expected to be available for the match, having missed the previous three games. Meanwhile, key England players Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Marc Guehi face the risk of suspension for the semi-final if they receive bookings against Norway. The squad is managing injuries and fatigue, with Rice also coping with back and hamstring issues.
Despite Norway’s team approach, England's defensive strategy largely revolves around containing Haaland, whose combination of size, speed, and technical skill has drawn comparisons to dominant figures in basketball. American sports commentator Bill Simmons likened Haaland’s playing style to that of notable NBA athletes, emphasizing his strength and footwork. Haaland’s growing popularity in the United States has been bolstered by his media presence and a viral social media trend dubbed the “Haaland Walk,” reflecting his rising status as a global sports figure.
Both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths in what promises to be a closely contested match, with Norway embracing their underdog status and England seeking to justify their status as favourites to progress further in the World Cup.