Every few years, a FIFA World Cup comes along that marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Consider the 2006 edition, the last for Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Fabio Cannavaro, while welcoming the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Sergio Ramos to the global stage.
A couple decades on, 2026 offers another watershed moment. While promising to be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, the tournament has handed World Cup debuts to the likes of Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal. However, the most established name in the lot is undoubtedly Erling Braut Haaland.
Unlike his mentioned peers, the Norwegian was already a global star by 2022 when he narrowly missed out on qualification for Qatar. His profile has only elevated to a different level since, tallying 162 goals in just 198 appearances for Premier League giants Manchester City. In his debut year itself, Haaland broke the league record for most goals in a season with 36 strikes. The effort earned him the European Golden Boot award, apart from being crowned the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
All that has culminated in Haaland already lifting eight trophies with the Mancunians, including a Champions League, two league titles, and as many FA Cups.
Haaland’s record for Norway is even more absurd. Entering the 2026 World Cup, Haaland had 55 goals in 50 games. This included 16 in a spotless qualifying campaign, another all-time record in his rapidly growing collection.
Apart from a natural instinct for scoring, a major reason behind Haaland’s success has been his athletic frame. Standing at a massive six foot five inches, not only is Haaland one of the strongest strikers going around but also one of the quickest.
It is little surprise though given Haaland’s genetic background. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was himself a professional footballer, earning 34 caps for Norway.
Imperatively, his mother Gry Marita Braut was also a champion heptathlete, one of the most demanding multi-sport disciplines. The sport comprises seven different aspects, ranging from 100-meter hurdles to high jump and shot put. Gry even managed to claim the Norwegian national championship in the 1990s before ultimately taking retirement.
All those traits came to good use for Haaland on his World Cup debut against Iraq in Boston on June 17. He took less than 30 minutes to open his account with a strenuously outstretched left leg, and doubled his tally before halftime with a fervent press that caught the rival keeper off guard.
While the range of Haaland’s abilities was thus no surprise, the number nine did have something new in store for his fans. Throughout his career, the marksman had sported just his father’s surname on the back of his jersey. However, against Iraq, it read an extended ‘Braut Haaland’.
The reasoning behind it is straightforward. As per Norwegian traditions, a person’s full name is supposed to contain his maiden appellate, followed by their mother’s surname and bookended by the father’s family name. Thus, Haaland’s decision to include Braut was a subtle way to honour his mother’s contribution to his career.
Haaland first debuted the extended name on his jersey during the international break in September 2025. The change brought him instant success as he scored five past Moldova in a World Cup qualifier, and he stuck with it ever since.
The mystery behind Haaland’s jersey alteration is a result of Gry’s choosing to stay away from the spotlight despite her son’s success. She is rarely seen in public apart from an occasional appearance watching Haaland play, and gives no media interviews. Haaland has respected her desire for privacy by avoiding any mentions of her in his own public comments, as has his father Alf-Inge.
However, Haaland has ensured she does not go completely unnoticed by choosing to showcase her name to the world at the grandest stage possible. A man like Erling!
