Erling Haaland has become an instant star of 2026's FIFA World Cup, thanks to his Viking-like looks (and play), catching eyes for even his Hermès collection.
The 25-year-old Norwegian soccer player, who typically plays for Manchester City, has propelled his home country into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, and during the Sunday, July 5 game against Brazil, which was officially kicked off, he tied with soccer greats Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for goals scored during the tournament, each netting seven.
The soccer forward has also caught eyes over a subtle name change to his jersey; whereas he typically has "Haaland" on the back of his shirts for his club side, during the World Cup, his jersey reads "Braut Haaland." Here's why.
© Getty ImagesThe sweet reason behind Haaland's jersey change
Erling's full legal name is Erling Braut Haaland, Braut being his middle name, and Haaland his father Alf-Inge "Alfie" Haaland's surname.
Braut meanwhile is Erling's mother's surname, her full name being Gry Marita Braut, and the addition of Braut to his jersey an ode to her.
Erling will reportedly reserve using "Braut Haaland" for when he is representing Norway on the world stage, reverting back to just "Haaland" for his Manchester City jersey.
© Getty ImagesWho are Erling's parents?
Erling was born on July 21, 2000 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, when his father Alfie, also a (former) soccer player, was playing for Premier League club Leeds United. A native of Stavanger, Norway, Alfie also played for Nottingham Forest, his son's current team Manchester City, and Norwegian team Bryne (both his and his wife's hometown and where Erling grew up), before retiring in 2013.
Erling's mother Gry is also from Norway and also a former athlete, a national heptathlon champion in Norway in the 1990s.
© Getty ImagesWhat has Erling said about playing in the World Cup?
Though Erling has previously played for Norway's national team, this is his first World Cup, as the country failed to qualify in 2022, finishing third in their qualifying group behind the Netherlands and Turkey; their last time in the World Cup was 1998.
In an interview published by FIFA in May, he said of what his first game (against Iraq on June 16) would be like: "It will feel kind of like a dream come true," adding: "You know it's more special, I think, because I've never experienced it. So, it will be an interesting feeling and experience because, again, I don't know what I'm going into, because I've never been [there]. I'm just looking forward to it — it's going to be amazing."
© Getty ImagesWhen will Norway play next?
Norway is next set to play in the FIFa quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11 at 5pm ET.
They will play against England, who kicked Mexico off of contention in a 2-3 game on Sunday, July 5.
