FIFA World Cup

Solbakken: Erling Haaland Will Have A Very Big Impact

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epa12862247 Switzerland's Fabian Rieder, left, Switzerland's Remo Freuler, center, and Norway's Erling Haaland, right, fight for the ball, during a friendly soccer match between Norway and Switzerland at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, 31 March 2026. EPA/CYRIL ZINGARO

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken is backing star striker Erling Haaland to make a decisive impact at the FIFA World Cup, describing him as the best goalscorer in the world.

The Grass Stallions are set to make their return to the World Cup stage for the first time in 28 years.

Norway are scheduled to take on Iraq in their opening Group I encounter when they meet at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Solbakken revealed that Haaland has returned refreshed after a short break and has looked sharper with each training session, expressing confidence that the prolific forward will deliver if Norway can provide him with the chances he thrives on.

“Hopefully he’ll have a very big impact,” said Solbakken.

“He’s our goalscorer. I think he’s the world’s best goalscorer. He’s physically fit, he was given a little bit of a break towards the end of the season,” Solbakken told reporters on Monday.

“I think gradually he has played better and better in training here. I think he’s where he wants to be and hopefully the team can also give him the service he needs to score goals.

“If you give Erling chances, he has a tendency to score, so hopefully that continues.”