“We’ve cracked the code” – Manchester City star hails rising National Team stars ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has lauded the rising crop of stars in the Norway National Team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The striker’s numbers for club and country this term have been simply staggering – with Haaland already boasting 24 goal contributions in 19 appearances in City – and 12 goal involvements in his last three outings for Norway.

The 25-year-old bagged the opener in Manchester City’s 3-0 thumping of Liverpool last week, making it 14 goals in 11 Premier League games this season – further solidifying his prospects for the Golden Boot award come the end of the campaign.

Haaland is in world-class company among Europe’s top scorers this season and should he maintain this run of blistering form and goals-per-game ratio as the campaign progresses, the Leeds-born star could be set for yet another huge haul.

His focus is now on the international stage as Norway’s talisman aims to take his nation to their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

Manchester City’s number nine will be integral to his country’s aspirations but Haaland – who has been shouldering an unrealistic amount of goalscoring expectation at the Etihad Stadium since Julian Alvarez’s exit last summer – believes Norway have “cracked the code”.

Speaking to TV2, Haaland spoke on his incredible form and the current Norway squad as the Scandinavian star dreams of spearheading a young group to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

“Yes,” Haaland said without hesitation when asked if he is in the form of his life, as quoted by Sport Witness.

“When I look at the Norwegian flag, I think of the community. I think of everything Norway stands for. It’s big every time I have the flag on my chest.

“The generation we have now is fantastic. We have many players who are at their peak and many young players who will be at their best in five years.

“There are many on the national team who are on the way up. It has been a long time, and now I feel like we have cracked the code.”

Manchester City’s frontman is in outstanding form for both club and country but it remains to be seen if he can steer Norway back to the major tournament stage.