Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway made a surprise visit to the team's dressing room to congratulate striker Erling Haaland and his teammates following their FIFA World Cup quarter-final qualification. The beaming, topless player received a hug from the princess after his brace of goals secured Norway's victory over Brazil in New Jersey.
Alongside her brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Ingrid Alexandra congratulated each player. Her presence in the dressing room was noted as significant, as she is next in line to the throne and will eventually become Queen of Norway.
This marks Princess Ingrid's first public appearance at the tournament, having stepped in to attend the last-32 win over Senegal when her father, Crown Prince Haakon, canceled his visit due to his wife's surgery. Crown Princess Mette-Marit recently underwent a lung transplant, an event that has garnered significant attention in Norway.
Haaland's two goals in the match brought his tournament total to seven, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot. "That's just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal," Haaland said after the match, reflecting on his performance. "I don't know how I do it, but that's how I do it, so it's all about staying focused."
The victory means Norway will advance to the quarter-finals, where they await the winner of the match between Mexico and England. "I hope that all the young people watching this interview – I hope that when you get a little older, you'll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you'll ever do in your entire life – it's absolutely insane," Haaland added.