New Delhi: England midfielder Morgan Rogers has admitted there may be no foolproof way to stop Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland but believes cutting off his supply of chances will be the key when the two teams meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter finals.
England will face Norway in Miami with a place in the semi finals at stake, taking on a Norwegian side led by Haaland, who has been one of the tournament’s standout performers. The Manchester City striker has already scored seven goals in the competition, making him one of the leading scorers at the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the match, Rogers acknowledged the challenge posed by Haaland, saying, “Has anyone ever stopped Erling Haaland? Not sure they have, but we’re going to try.” He added that rather than focusing solely on the striker, England must prevent quality deliveries into the penalty area, describing Haaland as “deadly” whenever he gets opportunities in front of goal.
Rogers has previous experience facing Haaland in the Premier League, with his club Aston Villa managing to keep the Norwegian scoreless during Manchester City’s last four visits to Villa Park. However, the 23 year old stressed that Norway’s threat extends beyond Haaland, pointing to captain Martin Ødegaard as another key player capable of influencing the contest.
England head into the quarter final after an impressive 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Mexico despite playing much of the match with 10 men. Rogers said the physically demanding encounter has only strengthened the squad’s determination to continue improving as they chase a place in the last four.
The team has also been boosted by the return of experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson, who rejoined the squad after undergoing surgery on an arm injury sustained during celebrations following the Mexico win. Rogers described Henderson as the “heartbeat” of the group, praising his positive influence both on and off the pitch.
With a semi final berth on the line, England will be hoping their familiarity with Haaland from club football helps them contain one of the world’s most feared goalscorers and continue their FIFA World Cup campaign.
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