Norway's star striker Erling Haaland commented on his team's upcoming World Cup match against France on June 26, drawing attention.
Haaland stated that he "couldn't care too much [about the game against France] now" because Norway has already advanced to the knockout stage. He added, "We managed to get through, which is incredible." When asked about facing France, he remarked, "[France is] probably going to win against us, they’re probably going to win the whole tournament."
While some interpreted Haaland's remarks as potentially tongue-in-cheek, they also reflected a realistic assessment of Norway's chances against France, a team that has reached the past two World Cup finals and is considered a favorite to win the current tournament.
Reports have indicated that Haaland might not play in Friday's match. If Norway is to achieve an upset against France, a strong performance from Haaland, who has scored four goals in two World Cup games, will be crucial.
Meanwhile, Haaland's girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, has been seen supporting Norway throughout the World Cup. She recently posted on Instagram wearing a custom jacket designed to resemble Norway's World Cup jersey, featuring Haaland's last name and number. Johansen was seen wearing the jacket on June 25, indicating she has worn it for several of Norway's recent games. She has been present to support Haaland regardless of Norway's match outcomes.