England left-back Nico O’Reilly has called out Norway striker Erling Haaland’s ‘favourites’ tag as ‘mind games’ ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final on Saturday (July 11) in Miami.
The Three Lions are looking to reach the semi-finals for the second time in three attempts, while the Vikings are already in unchartered territory by reaching their first quater-final.
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Ahead of the mouthwatering clash between Premier League stars on either side, Haaland put the onus on the Three Lions to beat the Vikings, calling Thomas Tuchel’s side the favourites.
“There’s some clear favourites out there,” Haaland said (as per Metro). “England’s one of them, so I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads!’ It’s a special game and super special for me because I play in England and I was born in England, and I’m playing against team-mates. It’s fun.
“To be able to be here and play on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world is really special. If you watch the scenes back home, this is not normal for Norway. To be honest, to be in quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup, it’s quite surprising even for me.”
Reilly, though, dismissed Erling Haaland’s claims as mind games while acknowledging the quality in the Vikings ranks:
“Yeah, mind games. But they’re a good team as well. They’ve showed that throughout the whole tournament. It’s not just certain players that we need to worry about. They’re good collectively, and it’s going to be a good game.
The Three Lions have won seven of 12 meetings with Haaland and Co., but they trail 2-1 in competitive fixtures.
“Erling Haaland is a real threat” – England’s Nico O’Reilly ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Norway clash
Nico O’Reilly knows the threat Erling Haaland would pose when England lock horns with Norway in their first competitive clash in more than three decades since a 2-0 loss in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June 1993.
Haaland, 25, has scored in all four games he has played in his debut World Cup campaign, with his seven goals being just one behind the Golden Boot-leading Kylian Mbappe.
“Erling’s Erling, we all know what he’s like,” O’ Reilly said. “He can score goals. He’s dangerous in the box, and he’s a real threat. But they need to get him the ball in first. A lot goes into it.
“I think keeping Erling quiet gives us a real chance to win the game. We know the threat he can cause – unbelievable striker, world class, and he showed that throughout the tournament, scoring every game he’s played in.”
The winner of the England-Norway clash could run into FIFA World Cup holders Argentina, who take on Switzerland in the fourth quarter-final later in the day in Kansas City, in the last four.
Edited by Bhargav
