Here’s another one to add to the list of headlines you wouldn’t have expected you’d ever read.
Erling Haaland may be focused on leading Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but on Thursday night the Manchester City superstar took in a different kind of playoff atmosphere.
With Norway based in Greensboro, North Carolina ahead of their tournament opener, Haaland and several teammates made the short trip to Raleigh for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.
Haaland was joined by fellow Norway internationals Leo Skiri Østigård, Sander Berge and Jørgen Strand Larsen, while head coach Ståle Solbakken was also spotted in the suite.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) [June 12, 2026](https://x.com/DAZNFootball/status/2065262301028962527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
The World Cup debutants picked a good night to experience hockey in the American South. Carolina skated to a 4-2 win in front of a roaring Lenovo Center crowd, taking a 3-2 series lead and moving one win away from lifting the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history.
Haaland appeared to be loving every minute of it. Posting videos from the arena on Snapchat, the Norwegian striker marvelled at the atmosphere before puck drop and later celebrated Hurricanes goals from his suite. Norwegian media posted that he even jokingly declared hockey his “new favourite sport.”
Norway has embraced the World Cup spotlight since arriving in North Carolina, with Haaland and company drawing attention for everything from Viking-themed team photos to viral training clips.
Now they can add “Stanley Cup Final fans” to the list before getting down to business.