1 of 5 | Norway’s Erling Haaland (R) goes after the ball in the first half of a FIFA World Cup match against Senegal on Monday in East Rutherford, N.J. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Erling Haaland does not believe his team is in contention to win the 2026 World Cup, despite advancing to the knockout stage, he told reporters.
Haaland spoke about the No. 22 Norwegians after their 3-2 Group I win over No. 19 Senegal on Monday in East Rutherford, N.J.
Norway is within the Top 10 betting favorites to win the World Cup, but well behind powerhouses No. 2 France, No. 3 Spain, No. 4 England and top-ranked Argentina, the defending champions.
The 25-year-old forward, who responded with “absolutely not” when asked if Norway could win the title, was not alive the last time the Norwegians appeared in the tournament — 1998.
“Let’s be realistic here and let’s be happy, every single Norwegian on the planet today,” Haaland told reporters at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Haaland, who is playing in the World Cup for the first time, scored two second-half goals in Norway’s second group stage match. He also found the net twice in the first half of the Norwegians’ 4-1 victory over No. 60 Iraq in their tournament opener Wednesday.
His four goals are tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe for the second most at the tournament, trailing only Lionel Messi’s five. The Norwegians (2-0-0) will next meet France (2-0-0) in their Group I finale. The victor of the France-Norway match will win Group I.
“I’m part of something special,” Haaland said. “Norway’s part of something special. We’re making history. I’m extremely proud to be Norwegian.”
Haaland told Fox Sports that he doesn’t “care too much” when asked about the challenge with France. He also said he thinks the French will win the World Cup crown.
“Honestly, I don’t care too much,” Haaland said. “We’re through. We managed to get through, which is incredible. I couldn’t care too much about that game. They are probably going to win against us. They are probably going to win the whole tournament.”
️ @ErlingHaaland share a surprising take about Norway’s matchup with France pic.twitter.com/A3IqMFs7Gm— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 23, 2026
The French are a one-half goal favorite to beat Norway in the high-profile Group I matchup. The winner of Group I will take on a third-place team from Group C, D, F, G or H in the Round of 32. The second-place team from Group I will meet the second-place team from Group E in the Round of 32.
Germany (2-0-0) currently leads Group E, ahead of the No. 31 Ivory Coast (1-1-0), No. 30 Ecuador (0-1-1) and No. 81 Curacao (0-1-1).
The French could also secure the group with a draw. Haaland and the Norwegians will face France 3 p.m. EDT Friday in Foxborough, Mass. The match will air on Fox.
The third-place team from Group I could meet the first-place team from Group A, B, D, G, K or L in the Round of 32. The current group leaders from that pack include tournament co-hosts No. 29 Canada, No. 11 Mexico, the No. 13 United States and No. 27 Egypt, No. 12 Colombia and England.
Group J foes Argentina and No. 28 Algeria joined France and Norway with wins during Monday’s slate. Messi and Argentina clinched Group J with their victory. The Algerians eliminated No. 72 Jordan from the tournament with their 2-1 triumph Monday in Santa Clara, Calif.
No. 23 Austria (1-1-0) remains in contention for entry into the Round of 32, despite a 2-0 loss to the Argentinians. Algeria (1-1-0) sits in third place in Group J, behind the Austrians due to goal differential.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has yet to score at the tournament, will lead No. 9 Portugal against No. 54 Uzbekistan in Tuesday’s opening match. The Group K match will kick off at 1 p.m. in Houston and air on Fox.
England will take on No. 65 Ghana at 4 p.m. in a Group A match in Foxborough. No. 15 Croatia and No. 40 Panama will face off in Group L at 7 p.m. in Toronto. Colombia will play No. 43 Congo DR at 10 p.m. in Guadalajara, Mexico.
FIFA World Cup: Norway defeats Senegal
Norway’s Marcus Holmgren Pedersen celebrates after scoring against Senegal in the first half of a FIFA World Cup match at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 22, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
