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Norway has never had a summer like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that’s largely thanks to one man, the Viking: Erling Braut Haaland. Now, after leading Norway to a miraculous first-ever World Cup quarter-final, Haaland is officially on a collision course with England’s superstar striker, Harry Kane, in the quarter-finals.
Both players are world-class strikers who put on an offensive clinic at the tournament, tallying 13 goals. Before, they simply competed for the Golden Boot; now the stakes are much higher.
Here’s a closer look at the two stars ahead of their highly anticipated match at Miami Stadium on Saturday:
The best striker in the world?
Harry Kane scored a late goal on Sunday night to seal victory against Mexico, propelling England into the World Cup quarter-finals.
Harry Kane has built a global reputation since joining Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy in 2004. He signed a scholarship with Spurs’ academy in July 2009 and made his professional debut a year later, paving the way for his rise to a legendary career.
He scored 280 goals in 435 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer. Kane also left a major mark in the Premier League with 213 goals before leaving for German giants Bayern Munich in 2024.
It took absolutely no time for Kane to acclimate to Germany. He has already scored 146 goals in 134 matches for the club. In 2024, he won the European Golden Boot, cementing his status as the sport’s elite striker and arguably the world’s greatest striker.
But for all the success Kane has enjoyed at club level, he takes it to another level when he pulls on the England jersey. He led England to the quarter-finals this year and, at just 24, took them to the semi-finals in Russia, where he also won the Golden Boot.
There’s a reason Kane is still considered one of the best players this World Cup. With their experience and already impressive record, England believe they have a real chance of winning their first World Cup since 1966.
The Viking dominates
Erling Haaland scored twice against Brazil to seal victory and send Norway to their first ever World Cup quarter-final appearance.
Haaland is slightly older than Kane was when he led England to the semi-final, at 25, but the similarities are clear. What Haaland has built early in his career is already record-breaking, and he has helped take Norway further than expected.
Since his debut, he has been a pure scorer. He began his career aged just 15 with his hometown club Bryne FK, making 18 appearances and scoring 18 goals.
Haaland has truly hit his stride following a €60 million move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. Since his arrival, he has made an immediate impact, breaking the Premier League single-season goalscoring record with 36 goals.
Since last season, he has surpassed 100 goals in total and already has three Premier League Golden Boots. He finished the last two seasons with 27 goals each, cementing his status as the league’s top scorer.
Despite Manchester City’s strong reputation and deep talent, Haaland has already built a track record that ranks among the best in world football. He has scored seven goals so far, tying him with France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the tournament lead.
Kane and Haaland ready for World Cup showdown
Kane and Haaland have only faced each other twice in their careers, and both came while they were both playing in the Premier League in 2023. This time around, the stage is much, much bigger and the expectations couldn’t be higher – at least for Kane.
England are looking to bring the World Cup home for the first time since 1966 and win their first quarter-final of the tournament since 2018. Meanwhile, Norway are just happy to still be taking part.
“Maybe this will write Norwegian history,” Haaland said. “Everyone just needs to have fun. It’s just a crazy day. It’s one of the craziest days in Norwegian history. Enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.”
Will Norway’s composure be what allows them to overtake England and keep their tournament alive, or will England finally overcome the weight of expectations?
One thing is certain: whatever happens between these two teams, Kane and Haaland will be at the center of it all.
