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Erling Haaland has ramped up the World Cup mind games by saying England are the team under pressure when they face Norway in their quarter-final tie on Saturday.

Haaland has enjoyed a sensational tournament, scoring seven times in four games, including twice in Sunday’s last-16 win over Brazil. Norway are flying in their first appearance on this stage since 1998 but, in characteristically mischievous fashion, Haaland insisted expectations should only be directed one way.

Asked whether all the pressure is on England, Haaland replied: “Yeah”. Pushed on whether Norway could take advantage of that, the strikerreplied: “Yeah, definitely.” Last year Haaland gave Norway a 0.5% chance of winning the World Cup and, despite the evidence of recent weeks, he suggested the prospects are not much greater. “Really low still,” he said. “I think there are some clear favourites out there. England are one of them, so I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.”

This last was said with a smile. So was Haaland’s response to whether England supporters should “stay humble” before the match, a reference to his famous remark to Mikel Arteta following a draw between Manchester City and Arsenal in September 2024,. “I think everyone should stay humble but they should be confident of progressing, definitely,” he said.

Haaland was similarly lighthearted form Norway’s training session in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, expanding on his liking for Americans by calling them “kind of hilarious”. But there is serious business ahead and he admitted this summer’s personal and collective success has come as a surprise. “I didn’t expect this at all,” said the 25-year-old. “Even before the first game I didn’t expect it, and now I didn’t expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup, it’s quite surprising even for me.

“Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil, then go and play England in a quarter-final in the USA, is quite special. And I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway to be here.”

Haaland, who was born in Leeds during his father Alf-Inge Haaland’s time at Elland Road, outlined the match’s personal significance. “It’s a special game, definitely,” he said. “I think for me, it’s super special because I play in England and I’m born in England, and you also play against teammates and everything. So it’s a bit … not weird, but it’s a funny game and it’s going to be nice.”

Norway are on the brink of making more history and, while providing Norway’s ruthless spearhead, Haaland is determined to see the occasion’s fun side. “It’s a key for my daily life to train well, focus well and prepare well, but you also need to enjoy the moment and that’s what we’ve been doing now,” he said. “And as we play in the World Cup we just have to enjoy it because nothing lasts forever, and we have to just enjoy while we’re here.”

Haaland and his teammates continue to enjoy a clean bill of health before facing England, with reports about a sickness bug in the camp earlier in the week having been exaggerated.