Wayne Rooney believes Erling Haaland will carry a distinct advantage into the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash between Norway and England, given his intimate knowledge of the Manchester City players who form the spine of the England squad.

Rooney made the observation alongside fellow BBC Sport World Cup pundits Micah Richards and Cesar Azpilicueta as the trio looked ahead to the highly anticipated fixture.

The argument is straightforward: Haaland trains alongside England's Man City contingent day in, day out, giving him an insight into their tendencies, weaknesses, and patterns of play that most international opponents simply do not possess.

Meanwhile, the tournament has already delivered early drama, with Spain defeating Belgium 2-1 in a result that has set the tone for what promises to be a compelling FIFA World Cup 2026.