Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterErling Haaland: famously Norwegian. Even more so, after his exploits at this summer's World Cup.The Manchester City striker needed no introduction to football fans around the world this summerBut his maiden turn on the international game's biggest stage has brought him to the attention of a new raft of the football-oblivious who are tuning in to see just what the fuss is about the beautiful game.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kErling Haaland: Yorkshire's finestYou didn't need to be the world's greatest vexillologist to pick up the clue as to Haaland's nationality, given his shirt for most of the tournament has been a blue and white cross on a red background. And also that it says 'Norway' on the screen.But Haaland was not actually born in Norway, as thousands of Leeds United fans can boringly attest at tedious length. You may like Could Erling Haaland have played for England? Incredible Erling Haaland goalscoring record strikes fear into England fans Why is Erling Haaland on the bench and not starting vs France tonight? That's because little baby Erling was in fact born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, thanks to his father's own football career.Norway international Alf-Inge Haaland moved to Nottingham Forest in 1993 before moving on to Leeds United in summer 1997.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The elder Haaland would leave for Manchester City in June 2000, just over month before Erling was born on July 21.However, Alf-Inge retired in 2003 after suffering a serious knee injury, which led to legal action being initiated against Roy Keane before being dropped.And so, the Haaland family returned to Norway when Erling was just three years old, and he spent the rest of his childhood there before moving to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg aged 18. What to read next How to watch Erling Haaland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup How many of Scotland's World Cup squad were born in Scotland? Why Norway are the 2026 World Cup dark horses... and they don't even need to rely on Erling Haaland By then, Erling had made his name as one of Europe's most promising strikers for his teenage exploits with Norwegian sides Bryne and Molde.A move from Salzburg to German giants Borussia Dortmund followed in 2020, with Manchester City swooping for his signature two years later.Haaland would technically have been eligible to play for England as a result, as he would have been considered a UK citizen; but he has never held a UK passport, without which he would be unlikely to have been able to prove his eligibility to FIFA.He was never really interested in playing for England, in any case.TOPICSErling HaalandNorwayEnglandWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
