India, July 5 -- Whoever goes out tonight -- five-time champions Brazil or Norway, which is participating just for the fourth time -- the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be poorer for its remaining days.

Norway have never been a major force in international football, but this time around it's different, all thanks to their attacker Erling Haaland. If not more, he is as popular as the Lionel Messis, Cristiano Ronaldos or Kylian Mbappes of the world. He is big and strong and has a massive appetite for scoring goals. Social media platforms abound with extraordinary Haaland stories. That he trains in a true Viking fashion: how he chops trees and splits firewood. What he eats and drinks: beef hearts and livers and raw milk.

He has been a fantastic ...