Erling Haaland admits there is one trophy he will NEVER win | OneFootball

Despite winning almost everything at Manchester City in his first three full seasons at the club, Erling Haaland has claimed there will be one trophy he will never get his hands on in his career.

The Norwegian striker has already established himself as one of the most dominant figures in world football, helping City to silverware on both domestic and international stages since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

Haaland has lifted the Premier League title multiple times, claimed the UEFA Champions League crown, and broken individual scoring records across competitions. However, when it comes to international football, the 25-year-old is far less optimistic.

This latest admission follows a growing number of reflective interviews from the striker, who signed a long-term Manchester City contract extension earlier this year to remain at the club until 2034.

The length and timing of that contract renewal, which removed a previously reported release clause due to activate in 2027, was viewed as a decisive moment in City’s long-term planning. It also signalled Haaland’s contentment and his desire to be part of the club’s continued evolution, with Real Madrid eyeing the forward as a potential future blockbuster arrival.

Speaking exclusively to TIME magazine, Erling Haaland discussed Norway’s chances of ever winning a FIFA World Cup title, amid hopes across the nation of qualification for the 2026 edition of the tournament.

“Norway will never win the World Cup,” Haaland insisted, before adding, “If we would qualify for the World Cup, it would be like another big nation winning it.

“It would be the biggest party ever. Scenes in Oslo would be incredible.”

When asked about the USA and Norway’s chances by the magazine, Haaland continued, “I don’t want to be that guy that says the USA is never going to win the World Cup, then they actually win it.

“So there’s a 1 per cent chance they’re going to do it. Norway has a 0.5.”

Erling Haaland’s brutally honest remarks will likely trigger debate in Norway, where hopes have been rising ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. With a golden generation beginning to take shape – including the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa, and Oscar Bobb – many believe the Scandinavian nation is edging closer to at least qualifying for the tournament.

However, Erling Haaland’s words reflect a grounded, perhaps even pessimistic, realism about the competitive gap between Norway and global powerhouses like France, Brazil, or Argentina.

The physical toll of major international tournaments is also a well-documented issue, and Haaland remaining relatively fresh could serve Pep Guardiola’s plans over the coming seasons – especially as Manchester City continue to target multiple trophies each year.

Looking ahead, should Norway make it to the World Cup, the scenes he predicted in Oslo may come to pass, and so too might an opportunity for him to rewrite the narrative he has already written off.