Erling Haaland delivered an emotional message to the Norwegian fans, confirming that participating in the 2026 World Cup was an experience that changed him on both a personal and sporting level, despite the team's exit in the quarter-finals.

The Norwegian national team bid farewell to the tournament after losing 2-1 to England after extra time, in its first World Cup appearance since 1998 and the fourth in its history.

Haaland said, in statements reported by FIFA, after bidding farewell to the fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami: "What I experienced feels like a dream. This tournament changed me as a person, and I feel that I have become more mature. It's hard to process everything that happened, but the most beautiful thing is to be part of an event that I once watched from the stands and now experience on the pitch."

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The Manchester City striker added: "I feel great pride, and I am moved when I think about the performance we delivered, and the spirit of unity and joy that Norway experienced throughout the tournament."

Despite exiting in the quarter-finals, the Norwegian team delivered one of its best performances in World Cup history, led by Haaland, who finished the tournament among the top scorers.