Supporters believe Erling Haaland shared a hidden message aimed at Israel in the two social media posts he made following Norway’s 5-0 demolition job on Saturday evening. The Manchester City star - widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football - netted his 25th career hat-trick, while two own goals further damaged the visitors’ already slim World Cup qualification hopes in Oslo.
There has been growing debate over whether Israel should be allowed to participate in UEFA and FIFA competitions, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza now officially recognised by international courts as genocide. Spain have even threatened to boycott next summer’s showpiece tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, having already taken similar action with Eurovision. See Group I's current standings below, with first qualifying and the runners-up going into a playoff format:
Group I Current Standings
Position
1
2
3
4
5
Currently, Russia remains the only nation banned from participating in the World Cup, with football’s governing bodies yet to reach a decision on Israel - despite increasing calls for comparable sanctions. This discussion continues to simmer in the same week that Palestinian health authorities reported Israel’s two-year ground and air campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 67,000 people since October 2023.
Erling Haaland's Instagram Posts After Norway 5-0 Israel
Erling Haaland
Since Norway’s big victory on Saturday evening - which put them in the driving seat of Group I as they chase their first World Cup appearance since 1998 - Haaland has already posted twice on Instagram.
While it’s unclear whether the song choice for both posts was intentional, many online have been quick to suggest that his use of his own track, “Haaland (Ha Ha Ha)” by CTID, was a subtle dig at Israel, almost as though he was laughing at his opposition. See his posts below (note: the song can only be heard on mobile):
Ever since concerns over Israel’s potential qualification were first raised a little over a month ago - despite the nation having never qualified via the European quota and only previously making it when competing in Asia’s qualifiers in 1970 - they have lost twice. First came a dramatic 5-4 defeat to Italy, and now a heavy rout at the hands of Haaland.
If they have any hopes of reaching the playoffs, they must win on Italian soil on Tuesday. Failing to secure all three points would render their final outing against bottom-placed Moldova a dead rubber, as more than three points would separate them from a playoff spot in second place.