Erling Haaland has labelled England as one of the clear favourites to win the World Cup — and, with a grin, invited the media to heap every ounce of pressure imaginable on the English squad ahead of Saturday's quarter-final in Foxborough (22:00 BST).

The Manchester City striker, speaking at a pre-match press conference, said: "I think there's some clear favourites out there, England's one of them. I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads."

Norway's remarkable run

Norway had not featured at a World Cup since 1998, yet they have stormed into the final eight of the 2026 edition. They advanced from Group I in second place before eliminating Ivory Coast and then, strikingly, Brazil in the round of 16.

Haaland, 25, has scored in each of his last 14 competitive matches for Norway. His haul at this tournament stands at seven goals in four appearances, including a double that sent Brazil home. On Saturday, he faces the nation of his birth — he was born in Leeds while his father played for Leeds United.

"I didn't expect it. To be honest, to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup is quite surprising even for me," Haaland admitted. "Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians, and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special."

When Haaland appeared on the cover of Time magazine last year, he estimated Norway had a 0.5% chance of winning the tournament. The reality, he acknowledged, has surpassed all expectations: "If you watch the scenes back in Norway, this is not normal for Norway to be, so it's super special."

An American love affair

Haaland has become one of the breakout personalities of the tournament in the United States, his profile boosted as much by his off-field adventures as by his goals. Just hours after netting the winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 32, he headed to Dallas to shop for cowboy hats and boots, documenting the outing on his YouTube channel. The video drew over six million views in five days.

"I like the Americans — I think they are kind of hilarious as well. They are funny, so I like the way they are," Haaland said. "On every single thing with the World Cup so far here it has been amazing. From the games to the stadiums, everything has been amazing. The training ground where we train has been amazing, so I'm super happy and it's been impressive."

England, meanwhile, have reached at least the quarter-finals at each of the past three men's World Cups, though they have not appeared in a final since lifting the trophy in 1966. Haaland and Norway will be determined to extend that wait further still.