Erling Haaland just did what the entire nation of Norway has been waiting 28 years to see. The Manchester City striker scored twice on June 16 as Norway dismantled Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at the tournament since 1998.
The moment carries a layer of sentimentality that sports narratives are practically engineered for. Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling’s father, wore the Norwegian jersey at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, playing in matches against Mexico and Italy. Exactly 32 years later, his son stepped onto the same stage.
The Haaland effect on crypto collectibles
His Sorare NFTs, fantasy football cards minted on a blockchain platform, have previously sold for staggering sums. Some individual cards have fetched between $600,000 and $750,000, paid in ETH.
Sorare operates as a licensed fantasy sports platform where users buy, sell, and trade digital player cards. Each card is a unique token, and their value fluctuates based on real-world player performance.
