Rooney: Haaland edges out Man City teammates in England-Norway preview

With England set to face Norway in what promises to be a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifier, the punditry panel of Micah Richards, Wayne Rooney and Cesar Azpilicueta turned their attention to one man: Erling Haaland. Rooney, never one to shy from a bold call, argued that Haaland will hold a clear psychological edge over his Manchester City colleagues when the two nations meet. The Norway striker plays his club football alongside several England internationals at the Etihad, and Rooney believes that inside knowledge – combined with Haaland’s relentless form – gives him an advantage that his City teammates will struggle to counter. “When you know someone’s game that well, it cuts both ways,” Rooney said. “But Haaland is the kind of player who thrives on that extra motivation. He’ll want to show he’s the best on the pitch, even against friends.” The panel agreed that the match-up adds an intriguing subplot to an already high-stakes encounter, with both sides looking to gain early momentum in the road to the 2026 tournament.