As Norway gears up for their FIFA World Cup campaign opener against Iraq in Foxborough, Manchester City and Norway superstar Erling Haaland has a packed routine that includes training, video games, golf, and even sharing parenting tips with his teammate Leo Ostigard. Haaland, who became a father last year, is helping Ostigard prepare for the birth of his first child, which is expected to occur during the tournament.
Haaland's Advice to Ostigard
On Norway's World Cup YouTube channel 'Spillerhotellet' (The Players' Hotel), Haaland was asked what tips he could offer Ostigard, whose wife is due to deliver any day. Haaland responded, as quoted by Reuters: 'Well, first of all, I would have said to be present during the birth, that is the first tip I would give him! It will be a new daily routine for him, a tough time, but it is a lovely time as well.'
Golf and Gaming in Greensboro
Norway's home base in Greensboro, North Carolina, has been a hub of both intense training and light-hearted downtime. Haaland and Ostigard have been playing golf together, with Haaland introducing the sport to his teammate. 'There has been a lot of golf, I am a beginner there, and Erling is pretty good, so it has been nice to play a bit of golf and do some other things as well,' Ostigard said. Haaland added: 'Everyone does their own thing. Some play cards, we do not; we play golf, we joke, we play a bit of (Super) Mario, a bit of Pokemon, and so on. We know how to enjoy ourselves.'
Haaland's Excitement for the Tournament
Haaland admitted he is eager to start the tournament, saying he is 'starting to get a bit restless.' He added: 'It is just a matter of pushing on to the first match, and then we have to hope for the best.'
Norway's World Cup History
Norway is placed in Group I alongside France, Iraq, and Senegal. This marks only their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance, with their best finish being a round of 16 exit in their last appearance in 1998.
Norway Squad for FIFA World Cup
- Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik
- Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Fredrik Bjorkan, Henrik Falchener, Sondre Langas, Torbjorn Heggem, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Julian Ryerson, David Moller Wolfe, Leo Ostigard
- Midfielders: Thelonious Aasgaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Morten Thorsby, Kristian Thorstvedt, Martin Odegaard
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Alexander Sorloth
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