“That’s His Name"—Erling Haaland Surprises Fans by Changing Name on Norway Shirt Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Erling Haaland will wear “Braut Haaland” on his Norway shirt for the first time, a decision that even left manager Stale Solbakken admitting he had no idea about the change.
Erling Haaland has surprised many fans after deciding to make a change to the name that appears on the back of his Norway shirt. From September onwards, the Manchester City striker’s jersey for his national team will read “Braut Haaland” instead of the usual “Haaland.”
The change was confirmed by sports retailer Unisportstore, who revealed that the 25-year-old forward will now include his middle name when representing Norway. Supporters of the national side will get their first look at the new shirt when Norway take on Finland in a friendly on September 5, followed by their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Moldova on September 10.
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Norway boss caught off guard
Interestingly, even Norway manager Stale Solbakken admitted he was not informed about the switch. Speaking to Dagbladet, he said:
“That’s his name [Braut], it’s no longer that difficult. I knew nothing of it until now.”
The change, while surprising, isn’t completely out of the blue. On his Instagram profile, Haaland already goes by the full name Erling Braut Haaland, a nod to his family heritage.
While it may seem like a small update, this tweak comes with an extra cost for supporters looking to buy the new shirt. With more letters on the back, fans will need to spend a little more money if they want the updated version of their hero’s Norway kit.
Still, for many, it could make the shirt feel more personal and unique — carrying both Haaland’s surname and his middle name, which links back to his Norwegian roots.
Club focus before international duty
Before he links up with his national team, Haaland will turn his attention back to Manchester City’s Premier League campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side travel to face Brighton on Sunday, looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last weekend.
Haaland will be eager to get back on the scoresheet and lead City’s attack as they aim to recover their rhythm in the title race. His form for club and country will be crucial as Norway fight to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
A new chapter for Haaland
Whether this change becomes a long-term tradition or just a short-lived experiment, Haaland’s decision to use “Braut Haaland” adds a new twist to his story. Already a superstar in world football, the striker is showing once again that he is comfortable making bold choices both on and off the pitch.
For Norway fans, September’s games will not only be about results but also about seeing their talisman wear his full name proudly on the back of his shirt.
