Erling Braut Haaland arrived at Oslo Airport Gardermoen late Sunday evening on a private jet alongside his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen, their son, and several friends, according to VG. The Manchester City striker landed at approximately 22:00, just hours after scoring in a 5–3 Premier League victory against Sunderland, where he also missed a notable chance, VG reports. The arrival sets the stage for Norway’s upcoming Nations League matches, though team preparations faced an immediate disruption when Monday’s training session was canceled due to low player numbers.
Nations League Stakes and Upcoming Fixtures
Norway enters the A-division of the Nations League after winning its group in the B-division during the autumn of 2024, according to VG. Ståle Solbakken’s squad faces a four-match schedule this autumn against high-ranking European opponents. The team hosts Denmark on September 24 and Portugal on September 27 at Ullevaal stadion, before traveling to face Wales in Cardiff on October 1 and Portugal in Porto on October 4, with group matches concluding in November against Wales in Oslo and Denmark in Copenhagen, as reported by VG.
Securing a top-three finish in the Nations League group ensures Norway top-seeding for the December 6, 2026 draw of the traditional European Championship qualifiers, which begin in 2027, according to VG. Alternatively, a strong placement offers a potential playoff path for Euro 2028. Beyond qualification implications, finishing in the top two of Group A grants a spot in the Nations League quarterfinals scheduled for March 2027, while the two lowest-ranked third-place teams face a relegation playoff, and the bottom two fourth-place finishers drop directly to League B, VG notes.
Training Ground Disruptions and Squad Arrivals
Media manager Morten Morisbak Skjønsberg confirmed to VG that Monday’s scheduled training session at Lillestrøm was canceled because too few players were available outside of rehabilitation work. National team captain Martin Ødegaard landed earlier on Sunday at Gardermoen, as documented by TV 2, with other squad members arriving throughout the day. Benfica duo Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup faced delayed travel due to their match against Porto in Portugal, according to VG. Manager Ståle Solbakken is scheduled to hold the team’s first press conference on Monday afternoon, with full training slated for Ullevaal stadion on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s fixture against Denmark, VG states.
Did you know? With his goal against Sunderland, Erling Braut Haaland has now scored against all 25 Premier League clubs he has faced in his career, according to VG. He enters the international break with 62 goals in 55 appearances for Norway.
Balancing Family Life and Elite Football
Outside of international fixtures, Haaland recently opened up about his personal life in an upcoming episode of NRK’s portrait series “A-laget,” scheduled to air on October 1. According to NRK, the striker revealed that his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen initiated contact by messaging him when both were associated with Bryne. The couple welcomed their first child in December 2024, a birth Haaland attended immediately following a club match, NRK reports.
Addressing the demands of professional football in the NRK interview, Haaland acknowledged that the schedule often conflicts with family milestones. When asked if he might miss his son’s birthdays or school events, he noted that club commitments take priority under managers like Pep Guardiola, telling NRK, “I think Pep would get a bit angry if I asked about that.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Norway play Denmark in the Nations League?
Norway plays Denmark on September 24 at Ullevaal stadion, according to VG.
Why was Norway’s Monday training session canceled?
Media manager Morten Morisbak Skjønsberg stated that the session was called off due to an insufficient number of active players not involved in rehabilitation, as reported by VG.
What does finishing in the top three of the Nations League group mean for Norway?
A top-three finish provides top-seeding for the December 6, 2026 draw for the traditional European Championship qualifiers, according to VG.
How many international goals has Erling Braut Haaland scored for Norway?
Haaland has scored 62 goals in 55 matches for the Norwegian national team, according to VG.
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