Erling Haaland Sent Home by Norway Early as Statement Released

Erling Haaland continued to fire in goals at an alarming rate as the Ullevaal Stadion played host to Norway’s 5-0 win over Israel on Friday evening. Israel’s two own goals aside, the Manchester City striker bagged a hat-trick after being denied twice early on from a retaken early penalty; but why is he being allowed to return to Manchester prematurely?

A goal-getter of the highest regard, Haaland – widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football – has now notched 46 goals in 51 outings for the Norwegian national team. As a result, Stale Solbakken’s side are whiskers away from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup; they are currently top of Group I with a flawless record.

Up next for the Scandinavian nation is a mere international friendly against Chris Wood-led New Zealand on Tuesday 14 October – but Haaland’s absence will leave the door ajar for Wolverhampton Wanderers hitman Jorgen Strand Larsen to earn an unlikely start under Solbakken. The Norway FA have released a statement to explain why.

Erling Haaland Leaves International Duty with Norway Early – Here’s Why

It’s hard to single out a more in-form striker in world football than Haaland, who joined Pep Guardiola’s men from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, given that he has already plundered 24 goal contributions (21 strikes and an additional three assists) for club and country since the start of the season.

Only Real Madrid and France talisman Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, of England and Bayern Munich, can rival his goalscoring prowess.

Although Norway ran the risk of facing punishment from FIFA after their fans’ pro-Palestine protests, Haaland’s hat-trick of strikes against Israel means they have taken a major step towards qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Born in Leeds, the 25-year-old may have missed two penalties earlier in his country’s five-goal rout, but he’s now scored in ten consecutive games for club and country in the 2025/26 season. But he’s been sent home from international duty prematurely – and the Norway FA have released a statement to explain why: “Sebastian Sebhulonsen is in the Norwegian national team squad, he and Sverre Nypan are participating in today’s training.”

Two City players who could feature for Norway against New Zealand are the fleet-footed Oscar Bobb and exciting midfielder Sverre Nypan, who is currently on loan at Championship outfit Middlesbrough. Haaland, however, will not be featuring for his nation – and he’ll be returning to Manchester to prepare for their home encounter against Everton.

For City, Haaland has scored 12 goals in nine outings – nine times in the Premier League and three times in the Champions League – and having his expertise in the final third will be crucial as they look to rival Liverpool for the title. He is currently top of the English top flight’s goalscoring charts for the season, three ahead of Antoine Semenyo.

Guardiola’s side are, at the time of writing, currently unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions and sit fifth in the table. At the continent’s top table, they won four points from their first two matches against Napoli and AS Monaco – and will be looking to regain their status as the champions of Europe.