Norway make World Cup history as three sons follow fathers 32 years on | OneFootball

Norway marked their 2026 World Cup return with a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston, but the real landmark was familial. Three squad members are the sons of players from the class of 1994.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, it is the first time three sons have featured for a nation 32 years after their fathers, with both tournaments staged in the United States.

Erling Haaland said he was incredibly proud to debut at a World Cup and to deliver Norway’s first win at the finals in 28 years. The Manchester City striker produced a brace and an assist and now has 57 goals in 51 internationals.

Back in 1994, Erik Thorstvedt, Alf-Inge Haaland and Goran Sorloth helped end Norway’s wait since 1938. They topped a qualifying group ahead of the Netherlands and eliminated England, then beat Mexico 1-0, lost to Italy 0-1 and drew with Ireland 0-0, exiting a quadruple tie on fewest goals for and against, one and one.

Goran Sorloth won five league titles and four cups in Norway, plus stints at Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bursaspor, and earned 55 caps with 15 goals. His son Alexander has 26 in 67 for Norway and has played for 13 clubs in 14 seasons in Europe, including Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Atlético.

Erik Thorstvedt was Norway’s starting goalkeeper in 1994 and later retired as the nation’s record appearance holder with 97, spending eight seasons at Tottenham. His son Kristian, a Sassuolo midfielder, came on against Iraq and helped create the fourth goal.

Erling was born in Leeds in 2000 during Alf-Inge’s spell at Leeds United, bookended by Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. His club return, 297 goals in 380 games and 13 titles, has underlined a family circle completed on football’s biggest stage.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo