Erling Haaland laughs off freak bus door injury as Norway push for 2026 World Cup spot

The Manchester City forward, fresh from scoring the decisive goal in Norway's 1-0 friendly win over Finland last Thursday, was struck by the luggage door of the team bus as the squad returned to their hotel. The incident left him with cuts to his lip and chin, but the damage was not serious.

Haaland, 25, later posted a selfie on social media showing the stitches, joking: "Just got banged out by a bus door. Three stitches." When a fan asked who had "punched" him, Haaland replied with "wrong answers only", before cheekily agreeing with a follower who suggested it was Norway captain Martin Odegaard.

Norway team doctor Ola Sand provided immediate treatment, and coach Stale Solbakken has confirmed that the striker remains available for their next match. "Erling is fine. It looked worse than it was, but he will be ready," Solbakken said.

The injury has done little to overshadow Haaland's incredible record at international level. His winner against Finland extended his tally to 43 goals in 44 caps, underlining his status as the most prolific forward in Norway's history.

Attention now turns to Norway's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with Solbakken's side set to host Moldova on Tuesday. Norway lead their group with four wins from four, ahead of Israel by three points, while Italy sit a further three points back with a game in hand.

Norway are chasing their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998, when they reached the last 16 in France. Haaland, who scored 52 goals in all competitions for Manchester City in their treble-winning 2022–23 season, has been central to that ambition.

Solbakken added: "The group has confidence, and we know what is at stake. It has been a long time since Norway were at a World Cup, but with players like Erling and Martin leading the way, we believe we can make history again."