12 July 2026SideLine · sports news, rewritten
🔥 TRENDINGWorld CupFootballEnglandMLB DraftArgentinaNorwayNFLUFC 329MMABaseballMLBConor McGregorJude BellinghamSwitzerland
Football

Haaland Sr. Criticizes Referee After Norway's World Cup Exit

By SideLine Desk ·
Haaland Sr. Criticizes Referee After Norway's World Cup Exit

Erling Haaland's father, Alfie, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee's performance during Norway's 2-1 loss to Jude Bellingham's England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Alfie Haaland, the father of Norway's star striker Erling Haaland, has publicly voiced his frustrations regarding the officiating in his country's recent 2-1 defeat against England. The match, which decided a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals, saw Norway eliminated after a closely contested quarterfinal tie.

While specific details of Alfie Haaland's criticisms were not immediately available, his comments suggest a belief that the referee's decisions may have negatively impacted Norway's chances of advancing. The loss itself was a significant blow, ending Norway's World Cup journey despite a strong performance from England, spearheaded by Jude Bellingham.

💬 SideLine Take

It's understandable for a proud parent to defend their son's team, but questioning officiating is a classic deflection when a favored team falls short. The focus should remain on the players' performance on the pitch.

AI-assisted rewrite. This story was written by the SideLine Desk from the reporting below and reviewed by our editors — read the original for the full story. How we work.
Source: Bleacher Report

Explore: 🗓️ The Week in Sport

More stories