Erling Haaland has once again surprised the football world by wearing the name “Braut Haaland” on his jersey during the 2026 World Cup, a change that quickly sparked curiosity among fans and experts. The Manchester City forward has left no stone unturned, leading the Norway national team to the quarter-finals and already scoring seven goals in the tournament, matching Harry Kane and Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.
Since the group stage, Haaland has been a key player in Norway's journey, helping the team overcome formidable opponents such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, and, most memorably, Brazil. However, it was the change in the name printed on the back of his jersey that caught attention — while at Manchester City he appears simply as “Haaland,” for the Norwegian national team he chose to go by “Braut Haaland,” adding his middle surname.
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The explanation for this choice lies in the player's family roots. Haaland decided to add “Braut,” a surname inherited from his mother, Gry Marita Braut, in honor of the maternal side of the family. Although his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was also a top footballer, the forward's full name has always been Erling Braut Haaland. In Norwegian territory, it is common for middle names to reflect inherited surnames, serving to preserve the connection to both parental families. For Haaland, this decision allows him to represent, on the biggest international stage, the maternal legacy.
The gesture also reinforces the close relationship he maintains with his mother, a former national heptathlon champion in Norway during the 1990s. Both were photographed together celebrating Manchester City's Champions League victory in 2023, a moment that highlighted their family bond.
This is not the first occasion on which Haaland has used his full name. Early in his career, he was known as “Erling Braut Haaland” before simplifying it to just “Haaland” at club level. The 2026 World Cup thus marks a return to the full version as he represents his country. Interestingly, during the qualifying phase, Haaland used “Haaland” in some matches, namely against Estonia and Italy, later changing to “Braut Haaland” when Norway secured its place in the tournament.
Another interesting note is the change in the spelling of his surname in 2019, when he switched from Molde to Red Bull Salzburg. At that time, he changed from “Håland” to “Haaland,” a choice made to facilitate international pronunciation and recognition. Haaland himself explained the change by saying, “One step forward, all the time.”
The use of the name “Braut Haaland” in this World Cup reignites the discussion about identity and tradition in football, in a symbolic gesture that links sporting success to family pride. With Norway still in the competition and Haaland in the spotlight, the jersey bearing his mother's name has undoubtedly become one of the major symbols of this edition of the tournament.
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