Erling Haaland. (Pic Credit - X)Erling Haaland’s remarkable FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has inspired football fans across the globe. The Norway striker may have fallen short of lifting the trophy. However, his performances have left a lasting impression both on and off the pitch. Now, his popularity has sparked an unexpected trend in Peru.According to Peru’s national identity registry, hundreds of parents have chosen to name their newborn children after the Manchester City star. The registrations increased during Norway’s memorable run to the World Cup quarter-finals. This highlights Haaland’s growing global influence beyond European football.Peruvian parents embrace Erling Haaland’s name after FIFA World Cup 2026 heroicsErling Haaland enjoyed one of the best tournaments of his international career during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Norwegian striker scored seven goals in five matches and played a key role in helping his country reach the quarter-finals for the first time in its history. His impressive performances, including a two-goal display against Brazil, made him one of the biggest stars of the competition.His success has now inspired a unique trend in Peru.Peru’s national identity registry revealed that 468 babies have recently been registered with the name “Haaland.” In addition, 91 newborns have been officially given the full name “Erling Haaland.” Officials said the number of registrations increased rapidly after the World Cup began and continued to rise as Norway advanced deeper into the tournament.A spokesperson for Peru’s identity registry explained that football icons often inspire parents when choosing names for their children. He said Haaland has become one of the latest international stars to influence Peruvian families, adding that many people now jokingly consider the Norwegian striker “part Peruvian” because of his growing popularity in the country.The trend is not new in Peru. For years, parents have named their children after some of football’s biggest stars. Registry data shows that 3,402 people in the country carry the name Messi, while 292 have the full name Lionel Messi.Cristiano Ronaldo is another popular choice, with 1,185 Peruvians sharing his name. Spain’s young sensation Lamine Yamal has also inspired parents, with 1,241 people registered as Yamal.However, Brazilian superstar Neymar remains the most popular football-inspired name in Peru. More than 33,000 people in the country have been given his name, making him the clear leader among football legends who have influenced baby names.Meanwhile, Haaland and his Norway teammates received a memorable welcome after returning home from the World Cup. Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to England in the quarter-finals, the team’s historic campaign was celebrated across the country.An estimated 90,000 supporters gathered in Oslo to welcome the players home. Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon joined the celebrations and greeted the squad after their impressive tournament.Although Norway’s World Cup dream ended before the semi-finals, Haaland’s impact continues to grow. From breaking records on the field to inspiring parents thousands of miles away in Peru, the striker’s influence has reached well beyond football.