Haaland Will Not Switch Nationalities to Play in the 2022 World Cup
The Claim
Erling Haaland, a Premier League footballer, will change his nationality from Norway in order to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Emerging story
Social media users claimed Erling Haaland will switch nationalities to play in the 2022 World Cup.
Some users claimed he changed his nationality to represent England, while others alleged he opted for a Nigerian nationality.
Since August 2022, social media users have been spreading claims that Erling Haaland changed his nationality from Norway to Nigeria for approximately £658 million.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be fake.
Erling Haaland can only play for Norway.
Haaland Cannot Switch Nationality
Erling Haaland was born in Leeds in July 2000, shortly after his father Alf-Inge moved to Manchester City.
Following Alf-Inge's retirement due to injury, the Haaland family relocated to the Norwegian city of Bryne after three years in England.
Despite Erling's dual nationality, England manager Gareth Southgate said he was "tied up" by Norway in 2020.
2021 FIFA Eligibility Update
According to the new FIFA eligibility rules, players can switch nationalities even if they previously represented one country in competitive action.
However, the player must have played in no more than three competitive senior games prior to the age of 21.
Haaland, who has 21 goals in 23 international games since making his debut in 2019, is ineligible to play for England even after the FIFA eligibility rules are updated in 2021.
Erling Haaland Did Not Become a Nigerian
Furthermore, it was previously claimed that Erling Haaland had successfully completed a switch of nationality from Norway to Nigeria for approximately £658 million.
Nevertheless, in light of the most recent updates to FIFA eligibility rules, the claim is unsupported by any evidence.
Footballers Who Switched Their Nationalities
Riyad Mahrez was born in France and began his professional career there. In 2013, he chose to return to Algeria, his birthplace.
He was selected for the 2014 World Cup and helped Algeria win the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
Diego Costa became a Spanish citizen in July 2013, intending to represent Spain rather than Brazil.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a French footballer. However, the player later decided to represent Gabon, his father's birthplace.
Munir El Haddadi, an ex-Barcelona player, was born in Spain to a Moroccan father. He chose to play for Morocco after previously representing Spain.
Erling Haaland Is a Manchester City Striker
Erling Haaland is a Norwegian striker who currently plays for Manchester City.
Haaland has set many records and won numerous individual awards over the course of his career.
During the 2019-20 season, he became the first teenager to score in five consecutive UEFA Champions League matches for Salzburg.
Haaland was the top scorer in the Champions League during the 2020-21 season. He won the Golden Boy award in 2020 and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021.
Haaland also set records while playing in the Premier League for Manchester City, becoming the fastest player to score two and three hat-tricks.
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