Erling Haaland Sensationally Reveals Why He Could Have Played for England Instead of Norway

Erling Haaland Sensationally Reveals Why He Could Have Played for England Instead of Norway

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
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  • Norway striker Erling Haaland has said that if he stayed in England longer, he would play for England's national team
  • Haaland's father Alfie played in England for several years, and the Manchester City striker lived in England for nearly four years
  • However, as his father's career was winding up in the Premier League, the family returned to Norway

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has revealed that he could've played for the England national team if his dad, Alfie Haaland stayed longer in the Premier League.

Haaland will have to watch his Man City teammates represent their respective countries in the 2022 World Cup, after his country failed to qualify for the tournament.

Erling Haaland, England, Norway, Manchester City, World Cup, could have played, alfie haaland
Norway have not qualified for the World Cup this century, which means Erling Haaland will not be in action at this year's Mundial. Photo by Trond Tandberg.
Source: Getty Images

The Norwegians failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament after only finishing third in their group behind Netherlands and Turkey. They have not qualified for the World Cup this century, according to Goal.

The last time they played at a World Cup was in 1998 in France. In general, they have surprisingly played in only three editions: 1938 and 1994 are the other two occasions they played in a World Cup.

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Haaland could've played for England

According to the Sun, Haaland said he could have been English if his father had stayed longer in the country. The Man City superstar was born in Leeds and lived in Manchester for a while, but returned to Norway when Alfie's career was coming to an end.

“It’s always a pleasure for me to play for my national team and also a proud moment. I lived in England for three-and-a-half or four years, and I lived in Norway for a long time, so it was natural to choose them. If my father had stayed longer in England — then maybe I would be English."

The 22-year-old striker has been scoring goals for fun since moving to Man City this summer. He has netted 23 goals in 17 appearances this season, according to Transfermarkt.

Haaland among big players missing

Sports Brief earlier reported on the biggest stars who will miss the 2022 World Cup because their nations failed to qualify.

Haaland's country Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup, as they ended third in their group behind the Netherlands and Turkey.

The Man City ace will look to help his country play in the Euro 2024 in Germany, and the 2026 World Cup in USA and Mexico.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.