Erling Haaland: "I couldn't care too much about playing [France]. ... They're probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament."

[u/DefiantTechnician335]

Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland is putting zero pressure on their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I decider against France. After his side's victory over Senegal, Haaland told reporters that he doesn't care much about Friday's result, adding:

"They’re probably going to win against us, they’re probably going to win the whole tournament."

[u/darthvader903]

Mbappé is now confused about who to glare at in the tunnel.

[u/achilliesFriend → u/darthvader903]

I think he is playing 3d chess here, this is reverse psychology so france comes over confident and loose.

[u/mangosal → u/achilliesFriend]

Pep used to do this

[u/Bagafeet → u/darthvader903]

Any player with a UCL or league title in the last couple of years.

[u/Lavonic → u/darthvader903]

He can glare at dembele

[u/AngryHobo381]

Bro’s trying Guardiola’s mind games 😭😭😭

[u/skullface41 → u/AngryHobo381]

imagine if norway thrashed france like 4-1 and haaland getting a hattrick lol

[u/DrizzlyOne → u/skullface41]

Go on…

[u/Nonetoobrightatall]

Is anyone slightly worried about them sacking a coastal city and putting the populace to the sword?

[u/Then_Lock304]

I'm wasting my life away watching soccer all day and going on Redditt in between matches. Is everyone else having a great time with all these games.

[u/-Sinn3D- → u/Then_Lock304]

So much to consume after work... and during work

[u/Weird-Dark5311 → u/-Sinn3D-]

Mostly during work

[u/luvslilah → u/Then_Lock304]

The best. I'm enjoying every second.

[u/oliviahope1992 → u/Then_Lock304]

The BEST! except when England plays then I'm just stressed 😭

[u/AnUninformedLLama → u/Then_Lock304]

It’s not wasting away if you’re having fun. It happens once every 4 year, enjoy every bit of it

[u/NoiseTight3699 → u/Then_Lock304]

its currently 4 in the morning where i live, and im watching Colombia vs Congo DR

[u/krispy456 → u/Then_Lock304]

I never really watched much soccer but this World Cup I am watching several games a day and as many as possible. It’s been quite fun and I’m pretty into it

[u/Ok-Association-3415 → u/Then_Lock304]

I am mostly have a good time. Suffering from sleep problems and depression that is interfering with my daily life, but catching the games while I figure out how to get out of my rut has been therapeutic.

[u/oncemorewithpheline → u/Then_Lock304]

im going to miss the first round bc i fuckin love morning to night soccer

this is so so fucking great

[u/Mysterious-Lick]

They just want to row.

Let them row.

[u/jackyLAD]

Haaland and Mbappe casually resting their match while Ronaldo and Messi play the full 90's would be kind of lowkey hysterical.

[u/fdar → u/jackyLAD]

Portugal still needs to play. Argentina doesn't, 1st place is secured.

[u/Complete_Owl_1785]

Haaland is being humble, but Norway have looked really good so far. Two strong performances, plenty of attacking threat, and Haaland already in rhythm. France are favorites for a reason, but Norway shouldn't be treated like an easy matchup.

[u/Frenchorican → u/Complete_Owl_1785]

Oh no we ain’t treating them like an easy match up, most of us fans are concerned. It’s gonna be a good match to watch I think

[u/Spannerbunny]

Haaland says he doesn't care, but deep down he's already planning how to run through France's defense, classic mind games

[u/StuffyTruck]

If Norway beats France, then the most important match of all time for Norway might happen:
Norway vs Sweden in WC knockout stage.

Whoever looses that game will never hear the end of it.

[u/Poddx → u/StuffyTruck]

Would rather meet Sweden than Ivory Coast. We already beat Sweden 3-1. Ivory Coast looked pretty strong.

[u/arcticie → u/StuffyTruck]

What I want to see is put all the Swedish and Norwegian skiers in a soccer game against each other, and put all the Swedish and Norwegian soccer players in a ski race against each other. This is all I ask for. It doesn’t even have to be biathlon or skate, it can be classic. 

[u/badibeti]

That’s such a Norwegian thing to say😂

[u/OlympicAnalEater]

Blonde viking vs turtle general dictator

Epic showdown

[u/Other-Tangerine-3435 → u/OlympicAnalEater]

Both benched/rested probz though

[u/Fun-Process-256]

I love him lol

[u/Interesting_Fox2040]

He is staying humble

[u/Acrylic_Starshine]

Just happy to be playing but will probably score against them anyway

[u/Peter_burger0]

Bro trynna plaay mindgames

[u/JRockstar50]

The most Scandinavian answer

[u/SceneDry5276]

The smirk was what sold it though. Pep really was his coach in all things.

[u/OttoVonGosu]

Damn their jersey is cool

[u/CurbYourThusiasm → u/OttoVonGosu]

I prefer our old one.

[u/Empty-Yesterday5904]

This is how you take the pressure off. Keep it fun. This is why England is so shit - too serious.

He will probably score three including a bicycle kick from outside the box.

[u/steeldrum99 → u/Empty-Yesterday5904]

The last game. It looks like he's just having fun.

[u/bigmusclesmall → u/steeldrum99]

I’m from Norway and Haaland is like in a league of his own. When he was 17 he played against my home team Brann, he was so good the whole match was a joke. He had just joined Molde and was unknown from before, the rest is pretty much history

Our defence, which hadn’t let in a goal in 11 matches had no idea what hit them. No one could even fathom what was happening. He scored 4 goals against a team that at the time was considered to have the best defence the league had ever seen. Our manager at the time said famously after the match «get him out of this country, he has no business being here». And just like that, it happened. Haaland got offers right after and he has said the match was a turning point in his carrier.

Here is a short lil documentary where you can watch it, shouldn’t be paywalled or blocked: https://tv.vg.no/serier/vendepunktet/s1e1/erling?id=365167
I get ptsd just watching it 🙂‍↕️😂

After that he went to dortmund and scored hat trick the first game, and he didn’t stop there, no he has pretty much all since he left my country been getting better and better. He has a way with the ball he somehow seems to get it in the net like it’s no big deal no matter where he is or who he’s playing against.

Sadly our defence at the world cup is shaky. I believe Haaland can put goals against France, but if we can manage that without letting in more goals I’ll seriously be impressed. One of our new national team players in our defence David Møller Wolfe went to the same school as me in a grade under. I can’t believe I’m watching him on tv and I hope so much he can be a positive change in our long struggling battle for building a good defence. Haaland is so good that if we actually had a good defence we would be dangerous against anyone I’m sure 🙂‍↕️

[u/slightlybigmember → u/Empty-Yesterday5904]

I mean, England is incredibly nonchalant compared to Brazil, lol. You guys celebrate great runs such as 2018. In Brazil, literally anything but the title is a massive failure that requires full revamping.

[u/Now-Thats-Podracing]

I really hope that Norway wins, but I get where he is coming from. France is so fucking good this year.

[u/Adventurous_Page_614]

whats with the comments this guy loves to joke around it his humor

[u/manored78]

This is reverse psychology. 😆

[u/FrenchRoo → u/manored78]

100% And France is working hard at pointing at other teams to be labelled as favorite! No one wants that label

[u/Yenoon → u/[deleted]]

I agree with you 💚💛

[u/Humble-Log-1695]

This and the football sub are just r/soccer +24 hours.

[u/EnjoysAGoodRead]

Psychological warfare, love it.

[u/RecommendationOnly41]

Beat them, Erling, do it. Our hopes lie with you.

[u/NiagaraThistle]

I mean we (Scotland) beat Norway not long ago so he's probably right that France is going to do so as well.

[u/SiteNo442]

He’s a savage. I hope he gets a hat trick. But for real France is too much.

[u/xXxGhostman]

Juste un transfert de pression

[u/Crunknjunkin]

Dudes playing 4d chess

[u/shlimedon]

Level 1000 mind games

[u/Catsurfshark]

Brilliant, this is exactly how smaller teams sneak into the final. 

[u/lemonwithmint]

Good guy and plays a good game

[u/thewookielotion]

Based on the squad he's not wrong, France could align two teams and both would be amongst the favourites. But if there's one thing we know about those tournaments it's that the best squad isn't always enough.

[u/Nyhlae → u/thewookielotion]

The best player is the referee, if he against you you can have 10 zidane and 1 Neuer at their prime and lose.

[u/Independent_Island74]

France is very beatable but they are good

[u/ironlemonPL → u/Independent_Island74]

It’s honestly hard to say how beatable they truly are - their defense has barely been tested so far, in no small part thanks to how good their possession looks. And pretty much every „traditional” powerhouse who actually had a chance to play a strong side (Netherlands vs Japan, Brazil vs Morocco, England in both games) looked vulnerable so it’s open season.

[u/jaron_b]

I mean the pool play game doesn't matter at all and if Norway faces France in the knockout rounds they will have progressed further in The knockout rounds than any Norwegian team in the history of the World Cup. I think they are just happy to get out of the pool. I think one of the greatest things about the World Cup is putting the reality of success in perspective. It looks differently for each team. France is one of the favorites to win this whole tournament and if they don't win it could be seen as a disappointment. Meanwhile I've seen teams and nations celebrate draws because they were rewarded their first World Cup points in their nation's history. Norway is one of those teams. They have never made it further than the round of 16 and getting out of the knockout round and not having to care about the game against France in this pool is probably a sigh of relief.

[u/novacantusername]

He isn’t lying. We are most likely gonna lose to France and France are favorites to win the whole tournament

[u/upasana30 → u/novacantusername]

Your never know it’s World Cup and upsets are inevitable

[u/B3arAttac]

He was asked this right after a historic win. Ofcourse he didn’t care and just wanted to celebrate in peace and enjoy the moment other than thinking about another team

[u/redditpharmacist]

He certainly stayed humble. Eh?

[u/Advanced-Success3791]

I think Norway have a great chance, even at a point.

[u/Significant_Nail_880]

Guardiola chess ♟️ move lol

[u/Saad6459]

Nah bro is preparing for war

[u/boredomjunkie79]

He’s objectively right. If I’m the Norwegian coach I maybe don’t want my star player saying this publicly all the time for morale reasons, but that doesn’t make him wrong.

[u/DiligentTip1013]

Stay humble

[u/vytalsynz]

Yeah he's probably right and his interview will probably be made into a TikTok edit at some point

[u/Equivalent-Salad-200]

Norway will rest their top players except maybe ødegaard for thei match against france

[u/Helpful_Client_2058]

What a chill guy

[u/SIKEo_o]

Just considering all these unpredictable outcomes from the group stages so far, i wouldnt bet too much on france winning. But yeah tbf they have the highest possibility to win

[u/SirWankzAlot420]

Hopefully they don’t win the whole tournament, but props to Haaland for being realistic. Would be cool if Norway beat France anyway though.

[u/Spiritual_Draft_4990]

Erling "Bill Belichick" Haaland

[u/vendymion]

The French trainer Didier Deschamps can't participate to this match because the death of his mother. So it will maybe a bit messy in the french team.

[u/mark_86_ → u/vendymion]

To the contrary, I think they will play well to honor him

[u/papiierbulle → u/vendymion]

France's coach replacement, although unknown, has been around for the same amount of time if not even longer than Didier Deschamps. Ofc it's sad that Didier can't attend to the match, but it will make the french team want to perform even more. Especially with someone like Mbappé who is willing to carry the team on its own

[u/Herb-Alpert]

They totally have their chance against us, and I expect a very Nice game !

[u/ThomWaits88]

This is brilliant 😆

[u/Kufangar]

You know, he's probably right 🦧

[u/bobble173]

Well I have Norway in a sweepstake so bit more effort thanks Haaland 😂😂

[u/Dunadine_Witcher]

As a Frenchman I’m excited for this match. I’m not counting Norway out, it’s going to be a great game!

[u/Sea_Photograph_3998 → u/Dunadine_Witcher]

I miss when your national football team used to humiliate themselves every other World Cup, they were fun times 😞

[u/Fluffcake → u/[deleted]]

Both teams will rest key players, so France will prolly win pretty comfortably because their squad depth is insane, but the game is effectively meaningless and will be treated as such.

Only purpose of the game is to farm goals for golden boot.

[u/MetricIsForCowards]

A win means they play Sweden or Japan, a loss means they play Ivory Coast or Ecuador. He’s right, it’s an irrelevant game and they need to focus on the knockout stage.

[u/bassphil13]

For people that look forward to the match, don’t get your hopes up. Both teams have already advanced. They most certainly are not fielding their best 11 players.

[u/NegotiationNeat5153 → u/bassphil13]

Coming in first or second in the group could be a great deal of difference. Plus the likes of Mbappe and Haaland will want to ply every minute for the golden boot race imo.

[u/gravidgris → u/bassphil13]

No, they're both fielding the benches who's hungry to show off in order to secure a spot in the starting 11 in the 16th finale.

So it might still be a wild ride.

[u/Ecstatic-Freedom-497 → u/gravidgris]

Yeah, and with nothing to lose, so no need to play defencively or slow. No pressure and good vibes from having advanced already hopefully means they're both going in with relaxed and playful attitude. Should be fun. 

[u/Afrorwegian → u/bassphil13]

1st meets Sweden (weak), then Germany

2nd meets Ivory Coast, then Brazil

So you're looking at one layup + a very dangerous match vs 2 difficult but achievable matches

[u/Skaftetryne77]

France probably has the strongest squad of them all. We have a couple of star players, some insanely good talent, and all over a decent squad with enough depth to go far, but it is nothing like France's. Our goalie and centrebacks are also not as good as the rest of the team, and it shows - we win not because our entire team is better, but because our strikers are insanely good and manage to score more goals than what our rather open defence lets through.

[u/Few_Baseball6718]

Plus raisonnable norvégien

[u/pablitoscripte]

you got to value the honesty and, also, the tiny little bit of classic shithousery

[u/pdxsilverguy]

Haaland is my favorite soccer player in the world.

[u/ACiD_80]

He means it, but hes still going to fight in case hes wrong. Thats what top athletes do, they understand the facts, but they also know very well that nothing is certain.

[u/ScarScream81]

France are going to rotate most of their squad.

Didier Deschamps the manager won't even be attending the game as his mother sadly passed away yesterday and he's in France until the funeral this weekend and won't be back before sunday or monday at best.

[u/Fitgeo_103296]

I say these things too when I don’t want others to expect much of me. Or when I try to convince myself that something doesn’t matter as much.

[u/wowitshemlock]

Pep is that you

[u/bigfern91]

I mean.. he is probably right. France has an unbelievable squad with depth in the bench. Easily the favorite. That being said, anything can happen. Argentina can match them again for sure on a good day. You can't write off Germany, England, Portugal, Spain or Brazil.

[u/Numerous-Pudding-745]

ChatGPT please translate [the quote] into American

“France is deservingly the favorite and will be tough to beat. Obviously I’d love to get the win, but with the upsets in other groups and the format, I don’t really think it matters where we finish in the group”

[u/McKnightmare24]

What is he supposed to say? Of course he's going to say they're going to beat France. What you thought he'd say, "They're probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament."....wait

[u/_dk123]

He is not wrong

[u/Powerful-Flight-3385]

Hope he is wrong

[u/Gratin_de_chicons]

There is a big chance we either tie or loose the game, as qualification for the next round is already secured Didier Deschamps will probably put the key players to rest and avoid any risk of injury.
Also Deschamps just flew back to France for personal matter, so Friday’s game will definitely be different.

[u/counterfitster → u/Gratin_de_chicons]

Deschamps isn't even going to be there. He's going to be in France because his mother died 🙁

[u/TurnipAggravating436]

A good mindset is everything, this is the elite mentality. Zero pressure, all the fun.

[u/Bitter_Craft_5474]

Just a guy who likes scoring goals and is having fun playing for his country. I think Norway is already proud enough so the lack of expectation must make every game amazing for him this WC

[u/Holiday-Interview-83]

None of them want to win this game.

I see a draw

[u/mykle90]

Norway will probably change close to their entire squad before the last match. The difference between first and second is not worth the value of more rest and risks of injury.

[u/Classic-Fisherman676]

Now I'm genuinely excited for the next match

[u/CARNIesada6]

Reverse... psychiatry

[u/Imrichbatman92]

Dude trying to jinx us...

[u/Iknownothingamigo]

Peak Guardiola speak. Erling clearly learned from the best smoke-blower in the business.

[u/cometflight]

Stay humble 😂

[u/henkdetank56]

To be fair ending 2nd in group F gets you a better bracket than ending first.

[u/Then_Lock304]

If you know your soccer and many of you do. France is such a stacked team. Maybe someone can beat them, but Haaland is right, I think they're winning the whole thing.

[u/DBIGLIZARD]

Did he actually say this?

[u/mambamentaliity → u/DBIGLIZARD]

Yep but he’s not wrong 🤣

[u/Charming-Math-8245]

Obviously he’s being realistic. Even if Norway played their A team it’s going to be not that close. Yeah, it’s probably not the best mentality but they’re through and that’s what matters… why wast the energy?

[u/LesBrandals]

Haaland paying his due to fast track his Madrid transfer 😂.

[u/Double-Emergency3173 → u/[deleted]]

He’s being truthful. France is a far superior squad. Not that he won’t try to win. He’s realistic

[u/JedM13 → u/[deleted]]

It’s all in the tone. When KDB put down Belgium in the 2022 World Cup, it was a shitty thing to do. Here, you can tell Haaland is half joking and just removing any pressure to be had in the game for his team.

[u/kassiusx → u/[deleted]]

Not weird, just Norwegian. Being to the point and not subtle is a true Scandinavian trait.

[u/FitHurry864 → u/[deleted]]

It's true and funny to say, it fits his personality perfectly. And Norway are already though so it doesn't matter if they lose.

[u/AstronomerNo2339]

Pep feeling so proud right now.

[u/tonytruand12]

un viking qui n'a rien à perdre dans sa tête ça fait déjà peur

[u/TimFlamio]

Love France as a french guy, but come on Haaland, don't sell yours short! We love you too.

[u/Double-Emergency3173]

He’s shifting his team into a “nothing to lose, everything to gain mindset”. And yes, France should win the tournament based on squad.

People should not bash him for his comments

[u/fatwaterbearer]

Love him such a fun dude

[u/cagefreemilk]

Isn’t it lovely when humble people thrive?

[u/Snippsnappscnopp]

«Æg dride i Frankriket.. Dai kjæme sikkårt te åg vinna mod oss, og dai kjæme sikkårt te åg vinna haile driden!»

[u/Regular-Orchid-9497]

Pep games

[u/Rep_One]

He is bluffing. Sun Tzu style. 

[u/Emergency-Sea5201 → u/Rep_One]

Nah.

He was just tempering expectations to the fans.

We must be realistic, he said later in the interview.

[u/Hyperactivated99]

its gonna be an amazing match 110% cant wait

2 of the best strikers and their teams going head to head on the world's biggest stage

[u/spawnofangels]

Friday's game should be awesome

[u/interoz]

France Vs Norway And Colombia Vs Portugal Are the most interesting and most defficult matches Alongside the Group Stage.

[u/Proud_Ad6314]

Norway 2-1 France 

[u/Consistent_Week5556]

I mean he’s not wrong

[u/EmilyRetcher]

I'm French, I'm for my team. But god I want Norway to win so much. Love a good underdog story. Step on us Viking daddy

[u/AncoraPirlo]

But what if he's just joking kids, what if he's just talking shit and messing about? 

[u/Archer_Key]

france and norway gonna rotate anyway

[u/Expensive_Guide_7805 → u/Archer_Key]

Yeah, but France's B team is frightening anyway.

Cherki, Barcola, Thuram, Zaïre - Emery, Hernandez/Digne, Gusto...

[u/Downtown_Cup3226]

Erling Haaland is the Alysa Liu of soccer

[u/uglyparade]

Just let this man go back to his passion of making commercials in China. 

[u/leastbasedbosnjak]

Well he isint wrong,as much as people dont like France,their play and style is above everyone else by alot..

[u/Quebec00Chaos]

It's called humility and more than one athlete need some

[u/LengthinessFormer933]

He is mind gaming well done Erling !

[u/Dokkaebi_BE]

He's right...

[u/HgnX]

Braut

[u/fighterjetsupreme → u/HgnX]

Braut if true

[u/mt943]

Jinxing us I see …

[u/Trooond]

It was a sarcasm tongue in cheek kind of thing.

[u/lillythenorwegian → u/Trooond]

No it wasn’t. It’s a typical Norwegian thing to be rational and humble.
We know France will probably win.
Thats a fact. And we have no problem admitting it.

[u/Super-Range-3721]

Le mieux serais de perdre le match les gars et de filé de l'autre côté du tableau

Il y a une partie de tableau vers l'argentine ou c'est vraiment tranquille 😂

Faut joué l'équipe C gros ont sblc

[u/JoyArk]

French people should say "anulo mufa" if they don't wanna lose

[u/Wood_On_Fire]

Oh come on. I was aware that France is gonna win that match, it's just that Norway with the A team would've made the match more interesting, fun, intense and close with Haaland. Hell, before hearing about him being benched, I made a bet that France and Norway's score would've been 3-2, Haaland playing against Mbappe would've been history!

[u/nsdmsdS]

Smarter player ever:

[u/MetroidvaniaListsGuy]

His honesty is refreshing.

And so far it does look like France are winning the whole thing. I wonder if we will meet them again in the finals... It would be amazing if we make it that far.

France will come to regret their win though when they realize who is going to give them their trophy and ruin the event.

[u/DanAkroydsMom]

Norway and France are advancing anyways. A loss here would be a tactical advantage

[u/ILikeToDisagreeDude → u/DanAkroydsMom]

No, it won’t? That would give us tougher opponents… Winning is the best outcome.

[u/Adorable_Ad4609]

I still can’t believe that Norway chose to rest their best. I get it that maybe they wanted to lose so that they could play Ivory Coast, but momentum is lost.

[u/eddiesteady99 → u/Adorable_Ad4609]

That is not why the coach chose to rest the best. Sweden and Ivory Coast are very similar opponents in our view. (And Norway beat Sweden 3-1 just a few weeks ago, so its not like they are a side that the Norwegian team fears too much).

The main reason was to rest. Better to have an un-injured team that can perform their best when it actually counts.

As a Norwegian it was very frustrating to not see Ødegaard, Haaland, Nusa and Sørloth play France, but with the new design of the World Cup this is the type of strategising that is incentivised. Unfortunately.

[u/MitchellCumstijn]

Love this guy’s honestly, humility and intelligence not giving France any fuel for motivation. This is classic Scandinavian, Dutch, Northern German humility in a nutshell.

[u/Zr0bert → u/MitchellCumstijn]

Dutch are anything but humble, as shown by your comment.

[u/OddWatercress8564 → u/Zr0bert]

The Germans are so humble they tried to make Europe German, twice, knowing that it'd be for the best

[u/RotationHeavy → u/MitchellCumstijn]

Dutch and German humility... Haha, that's a great joke! Wait... Is this a joke?

[u/OSRS_Garmr → u/RotationHeavy]

The famous German humility that lead to them trying to conquer the litteral world, twice!

[u/Sarfanadia]

What a letdown. So many teams out there pouring their hearts out. Turkiye was already out and fought to the wire to win over the USA. Like, I get that it might be a realistic viewpoint, but come on bro. Not saying you gotta be delusional or anything but don’t say this kinda shit.

[u/Strong_Sale_2533 → u/Sarfanadia]

Well Turkey is already at home and wanted to at least finish with a victory while Norway has an important match coming up and didn’t wanna risk injury. Also they avoid potentially harder opponents by becoming second place.

[u/Traditional-Till9998 → u/Sarfanadia]

Umm.. your example includes a team that ALSO rested its starting players since it was already through to the knockout stages

[u/Naethor]

As a Frenchie, I´ll be happy if we win but even happier if a new team joins the club of WC winners.

I´d be extatic the winner is Japan

[u/Gradooble → u/Naethor]

I agree, anything other than a european or south-american team would be really cool !

[u/CurbYourThusiasm]

We're gonna rotate heavily, so yeah...

[u/snipizgood]

Number 2 of the group will avoid Germany in 8th finale !

[u/Ololololic → u/snipizgood]

Germany would like to avoid them both...

[u/Haestein_the_Naughty]

He should have said "I will make them pay Danegeld" lol

[u/snowglrbe]

hes not wrong

[u/TheAdequateKhali]

Staying humble, eh?

[u/Slutha]

Please don't be this nice, please don't be this humble, just change up all our expectations

[u/EffectiveAbility3898]

Ragnar would be so proud

[u/Acrobatic-Ad-9189]

No bro. I'm norwegian

[u/mediocrebighead]

Norway fans! this is what you want?- Maximus