Haaland honors his mother in front of Iraq in the 2026 World Cup

Norwegian star Erling Haaland will compete in the 2026 World Cup for the first time in his career, carrying a distinctive family gesture in addition to his football ambitions, after he decided to add his mother’s surname to his name on the Norwegian national team shirt during the tournament.

The Manchester City striker will appear as “Brut Haaland” in his country’s opening match against Iraq at dawn on Wednesday, in honor of his mother, Gree Marita Braut, the former Norwegian champion in the heptathlon athletics competitions.

This initiative reflects Haaland’s connection with his family, coinciding with the Norwegian national team’s return to the World Cup finals after an absence of 28 years.