Erling Haaland Plays Down ‘Best in the World’ Claims After World Cup Double for Norway

• Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq.
• The Manchester City striker rejected claims he is currently football’s best goalscorer, pointing to Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé’s superior numbers.
• Haaland said fulfilling his dream of playing at a World Cup remains more important than individual accolades.

Erling Haaland has dismissed suggestions that he is football’s best goalscorer despite scoring twice in Norway’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026 victory over Iraq.

The 25-year-old striker marked his World Cup debut with a brace as Norway secured an impressive 4-1 win, but Haaland insisted other forwards have stronger claims to the title of the world’s most prolific scorer.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken described Haaland as the “best goalscorer in the world” after the match, yet the Manchester City star was quick to downplay the praise.

“[Best] goalscorer? I would say I’m up there. I don’t think I scored the most goals this season, so statistically no,” Haaland said.

Haaland has scored 37 goals across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign, including 27 in the Premier League, eight in the UEFA Champions League and his two goals against Iraq.

However, he pointed to both Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé as players who have produced superior numbers this season.

“Harry Kane and Mbappé scored more goals than me and that’s the reality,” he added.

Mbappé has registered 42 goals this season, including 25 in LaLiga and 15 in the Champions League for Real Madrid, alongside two World Cup goals. The France captain also finished as both LaLiga’s leading scorer and the Champions League’s top marksman.

Kane’s tally has been even more impressive. The England captain scored 64 goals across all competitions, with 36 coming in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich. Kane finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for a third consecutive season and enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career.

Speaking ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, Kane reflected on his season.

“Yeah I’d say from a personal point of view it was the best season I’ve ever had from a factual point of view of scoring a lot more goals than what I have in any other previous season which is obviously pleasing,” Kane said.

“I think also just physically and mentally the way the season ended for me was obviously great. I took that into the prep camp with the boys and I know you need a lot of things to go your way at the right time and I feel it has.”

Despite Haaland’s modest assessment, his Norway teammates were in no doubt about his standing among the game’s elite strikers.

Midfielder Patrick Berg praised Haaland’s overall contribution against Iraq.

“Of course, he’s the best striker in world football and you can see today the way he worked for us, not just with the ball but also without the ball was magnificent,” Berg said.

“I think he really made a great game today.”

Teammate Sander Berge was equally impressed, describing Haaland’s display as that of “an animal.”

While debate over the world’s best goalscorer continues, Haaland’s focus remains on helping Norway make the most of their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage.

The tournament marks Haaland’s first appearance at a major international competition and Norway’s first World Cup participation since 1998.

Norway continue their Group campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday, with Haaland looking to build on his dream start to life at the World Cup.