Erling Haaland’s participation in the World Cup concluded after Norway’s quarterfinal defeat, a development that came as a surprise to many given his status as a breakout star of the tournament.
Norway's World Cup journey, marking their first appearance in 28 years, ended with a loss to England. Haaland acknowledged feeling exhausted, stating that his team's qualification for the tournament itself was a significant achievement. He expressed that falling to England, a team he believes carries no shame in losing to, was a manageable outcome. "How is it to be Erling Haaland right now after being in the quarterfinals with Norway and going straight to holiday? It's quite nice," Haaland remarked after the quarterfinal match. He believes this experience will foster growth for both himself and Norwegian football, stating, "I think this changes Norway. I think it changes me. I've said it many times, we're building on something in Norway."
The conclusion of Haaland's World Cup campaign saw him on the bench, a stark contrast to his prominent role throughout the competition. His team's exit came after a competitive match against England.
Looking ahead, the World Cup semifinals are set to feature England against Argentina, who defeated Switzerland. The other semifinal will pit France against Spain. For the first time in the tournament's history, the top four ranked teams in the FIFA rankings have all reached the semifinals. Several prominent players, including Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham, are still in contention for the title. England, considered the birthplace of soccer, has a chance to end its 60-year World Cup drought.