The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will have to do without Norway and thus in particular without Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (22).
Nevertheless, the Premier League’s top striker talks about the upcoming tournament – and reveals his favourites.
Germany is not there…
In an interview with the “Dailymail” he says first of all: “I wish I would play in the World Cup. But the reality now is that I don’t.”
With Norway, Haaland only just missed qualifying – if the team hadn’t lost the last group match of qualifying against the Netherlands (0-2), but won, Norway would have been there.
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Haaland nevertheless reveals the teams he sees as the strongest at the World Cup in Qatar: “I think the favorites are Brazil, Argentina, France and maybe England. I can’t name just one because there are so many good teams.”
Although the City striker (18 goals in 13 Premier League games) mentions four teams, the German national team is not included!
Haaland also explains what he does with his free time: “I will relax my body and mind a lot. Then I will train. It’s about getting ready for the next half of the season and being ready for the next game after the break.”
However, the ex-BVB star has not given up on the World Cup dream. Norway have not been at a World Cup since 1998 and at a European Championship since 2000. That should change in 2024 and 2026.
Haaland says: “I hope to play for Norway. Our dream and maybe our reality is that the greatest thing we can achieve is the World Cup or the European Championship. That is of course my goal with the national team. We know it’s difficult, but hopefully I’ll play there one day.”
Given his outstanding performance in the club, most football fans should hope so too – Haaland promises a spectacle at a World Cup.
