The dream of Erling Haaland FIFA World Cup The debut came late on Saturday, when Norway bowed out in the quarter-finals, but the prolific striker believes the tournament has transformed the position of football in his country. Norway’s extraordinary campaign concluded with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England, ending a run that has captured the imagination of fans around the world. Haaland was substituted with about 15 minutes remaining and watched from the bench as Jude Bellingham’s brace sent the Three Lions into the semi-finals. While Norway did not have a place in the last four, Haaland finished the tournament with seven goals and established himself among the top scorers of the competition. Reflecting on the trip, the Manchester City forward described the experience as unforgettable. “These have been the coolest six weeks I’ve had in my entire life,” the 25-year-old was quoted as saying by Xinhua. “It was completely crazy. These are memories for a lifetime. It’s the funnest thing I’ve been a part of.” The quarter finals were particularly demanding, with players battling the intense heat and humidity in Miami. Haaland admitted that the conditions made it worse, but he refused to use it as an excuse for the defeat. “It was tough. It was pretty special to play in that humidity,” Haaland said. “I don’t want to make excuses. The quarter-finals are decided by small details, and we had some situations that went against us.” One of the key talking points came when Norway had a goal disallowed after a VAR review penalized Haaland for a foul on England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The striker does not agree with the decision. “I felt like I was pulled all the way, and I think it was a sweet decision,” Haaland said. “If it’s a free kick, then you should have a free kick in almost every duel in every game.” Despite the disappointment, Haaland believes Norway’s performances left a lasting impact. The team’s run to the quarterfinals, coupled with the popularity of supporters’ “Viking row” celebrations, turned Norway into one of the biggest stories of the tournament. The chant, performed by fans and players, became a viral sensation on social media and host cities throughout the competition. “The way to put Norway on the map is the one thing that touches me the most,” Haaland said. “I hope this gives motivation to young people in Norway that it is possible. It is possible to play on the biggest stage in the world with a Norway t-shirt on.” The tournament also featured an emotional reunion with Bellingham, Haaland’s close friend and former Borussia Dortmund teammate. The English midfielder scored the two goals that ended Norway’s World Cup dream. Yet Haaland had nothing but praise for his friend. “Jude is a good friend… He’s such a good guy,” Haaland said. “I’m not surprised he did the way he did. England are lucky, [Real] Madrid is lucky, because everyone wanted a Jude in their team.” Born in Leeds before representing Norway internationally, Haaland admitted he continues to follow England’s progress in the tournament. “I think I had an England shirt before I had a Norway shirt when I was young, so of course I want England to do well,” he said. Looking back on Norway’s campaign, Haaland believes that the team has already achieved something significant by showing that it can compete with the traditional powers of football. “I’ve said many times, let’s build something in Norway. I think it’s already built,” he said. “We showed that it is possible to beat one of the biggest soccer nations in the world, Brazil. We gave England a good fight.” With the tournament now behind him, Haaland is looking forward to a break after an emotionally draining six weeks. “I’m completely done now, I can say that for sure,” concluded Haaland, looking forward to a quiet vacation after the emotional roller coaster. “It was so many impressions, so many feelings. I’m quite happy with my life. I’m in a good place.”