Jan Langhaug /NTB/via REUTERS
Norway star Erling Haaland seemed to enjoy his time in the United States
Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s time in the United States for the 2026 World Cup may be over, but the country clearly rubbed off on him. Haaland shared a video of himself on vacation engaging in what could be seen as stereotypically American behavior: shirtless, swinging a golf club and listening to country music.
Given Norway’s run to the quarterfinals in the 2026 World Cup, Erling Haaland will now have a few weeks off before he reports to Manchester City’s preseason training camp for his first season under new manager Enzo Maresca following the departure of legendary coach Pep Guardiola.
Erling Haaland was filmed shirtless on a yacht driving golf balls into the ocean while listening to Ella Langley on his summer vacation
After receiving a hero’s welcome upon his return to Oslo Haaland has departed to warmer climates for a much-deserved vacation following a lengthy club season with Manchester City and a deep World Cup run with Norway.
In a video posted to his official Snapchat, a shirtless Haaland could be seen standing on a yacht whacking golf balls into the ocean while listening to Ella Langley (who has unexpectedly been one of the benefiting subplots of the World Cup due to viral sensation @freddyLA7’s affinity for her).
Just Haaland enjoying life. ☀️⛳ pic.twitter.com/7zInFqK95W
— Erling Haaland Daily (@ehaalanddaily) July 15, 2026
“Erling Haaland visits America once, and now he’s smashing golf balls off a boat while listening to Ella Langley like a true American,” read one reaction to the video on social media.
“Hitting golf balls off a yacht listening to Ella Langley. Erling Haaland might be an honorary American at this point,” a second agreed.
The song playing in the background is Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” The Norway national team had their Round of 32 matchup against Ivory Coast in Dallas and clearly left its mark on Haaland, as he featured his time in the Lone Star State heavily in his YouTube vlog and returned home with a $750 taxidermy raccoon from a local store called Wild Bill’s that he was seen holding while deplaning from Norway’s flight home.
“People are so nice here. They’re so positive. I don’t know what it is, they’re just enjoying life,” Haaland said in his YouTube video. “I’m definitely coming back here.”
“I like the Americans, I think they are kind of hilarious as well,” he said at a press conference during the tournament. “They are funny, I like the way they are.”
Can we keep Erling Haaland in America? 🇺🇸 🇳🇴 He loves America and he’s fascinated by American Sports culture! He said that he gets goosebumps when he hears our National Anthem! 🇺🇸♥️ https://t.co/bzPzCwYByZ pic.twitter.com/KF2DRP3Gtd
— @LynneK (@lynnek2005) July 3, 2026
Erling Haaland: I'm coming back here! People are so nice here! They're just enjoying life! So friendly! 🇺🇸♥️
Me: I had no idea who this guy was! Now I even know how to spell his name! Freaking amazing! 😎👊🇺🇸
Thank you, for loving America! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/KzcqDsne1u pic.twitter.com/lAYTlZSmMg— LynneP (@LynneBP_294) July 4, 2026
Haaland finished his first World Cup appearance, which saw him lead Norway to its deepest ever run in the tournament, with seven goals — including braces (two goals) in matches against Iraq and Senegal in the group stage, and Brazil in the Round of 16.
With France and Kylian Mbappe (8 goals) eliminated, the final between Lionel Messi (8 goals) and Argentina against Spain set, Haaland will finish third in the Golden Boot race regardless of whether Messi adds more goals to his tally to win the award outright.