Erling Haaland, the star striker for Norway, has expressed his belief that England stands as one of the top favorites to clinch the 2026 World Cup. With a light-hearted appeal to the media, he urged them to apply as much pressure as possible on the English team leading up to their quarter-final clash on Saturday.

This marks a historic moment for Norway, as they have not reached a World Cup since 1998 and now find themselves in the final eight after finishing second in Group I. They achieved this milestone by defeating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stages.

Haaland, who plays for Manchester City, stated, "I think there's some clear favourites out there, England's one of them." He further encouraged journalists, saying, "I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads."

The 25-year-old forward has been in phenomenal form, scoring in each of his last 14 competitive games for Norway. This impressive streak will be put to the test against England, a nation he has a personal connection to, having been born in Leeds.

Reflecting on Norway's journey, Haaland acknowledged, "I didn't expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising even for me." His remarkable performance, including a double against Brazil, has propelled Norway to this unprecedented stage.

Haaland's popularity has soared in the USA, fueled by his vibrant personality and a recent shopping spree in Dallas, where he filmed his cowboy hat and boot purchase for his YouTube channel, garnering over six million views in just five days.

He expressed his appreciation for the American experience, stating, "Honestly on every single thing with the World Cup so far here it has been amazing. From the games to the stadiums, everything has been amazing."