Norway has reached uncharted territory at the FIFA World Cup, booking a place in the quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history.
Standing between the Scandinavian side and another milestone is England, but much of the attention remains fixed on Erling Haaland, the striker whose influence stretches far beyond the football field.
Already regarded as one of the world’s elite forwards, Haaland has transformed himself into both a sporting icon and a savvy businessman while leading Norway’s historic campaign.
Haaland’s Success Extends Far Beyond His Football Salary
While Haaland continues to dominate on the pitch, his financial success has expanded into several industries.
According to Forbes, the Manchester City forward earns an estimated $60 million each year through his football career, placing him among the highest-paid athletes globally.
Away from football, the 25-year-old has steadily assembled an investment portfolio through Pillage, his Luxembourg-based investment company.
The firm has backed projects spanning financial services, technology ventures, and real estate, reflecting Haaland’s long-term focus on growing his wealth beyond playing football.
Chess Has Become One of His Newest Business Passions
One of Haaland’s most notable investments in 2026 came through the world of competitive chess.
In March, he became an angel investor in Norway Chess before joining forces with Norwegian entrepreneur Morten Borge to establish Chess Mates, a company dedicated to expanding professional chess competitions.
Their flagship project, the Total Chess World Championship, has been launched with a guaranteed prize pool of at least $2.7 million, signaling ambitious plans for the sport.
Speaking about the investment earlier this year, Haaland explained that chess shares important qualities with football, saying the game requires quick decision-making, instinct, and the ability to think several moves ahead.
Brand Partnerships Continue to Grow His Business Portfolio
Haaland has also invested in companies connected to products he personally uses.
He owns a minority interest in Norwegian accessories company Bon Dep, creator of the popular KKNEKKI hair tie.
The striker frequently wears the accessory during matches, and his association with the brand has reportedly helped increase demand for its Haaland-inspired product line.
His portfolio also includes ownership stakes in recovery technology company Hyperice and Scandinavian luggage manufacturer Db, further expanding his investments into consumer brands with long-term growth potential.
Luxury Homes, Expensive Cars and Even a Hollywood Debut
The Norwegian international has also accumulated a collection of luxury assets across Europe.
Reports indicate his property holdings include a multi-million-dollar mansion in Marbella, Spain, an upscale apartment in Oslo, and a lavish 10-bedroom residence in Cheshire, England.
His lifestyle has frequently attracted attention online thanks to an impressive collection of Hermès Birkin bags, luxury accessories often valued at tens of thousands of dollars each.
Haaland is equally known for maintaining a garage filled with high-end vehicles from brands including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.
Adding another achievement to his growing résumé, the football star is preparing to enter the film industry later this year.
He will lend his voice to an animated version of himself—a Viking warrior named “Haaland”—in Viqueens, an adventure-comedy directed by Norwegian filmmaker Harald Zwart.
From Football Prodigy to One of the World’s Deadliest Strikers
Haaland’s rise has been remarkable.
Standing 6-foot-4 with explosive pace and exceptional finishing ability, he has earned the nickname “The Terminator” for his relentless goalscoring.
Football runs in his family. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, enjoyed a successful Premier League career, and Erling has taken that legacy to even greater heights.
His breakthrough came during an outstanding spell at Red Bull Salzburg in 2019 before earning a move to Borussia Dortmund the following year.
However, his career reached another level after joining Manchester City in 2022.
Since arriving in England, Haaland has collected multiple Premier League championships, helped City capture their first UEFA Champions League title, broken the league’s single-season scoring record, and won the European Golden Shoe.
Norway Eyes an Unprecedented World Cup Achievement
Haaland has already surpassed 300 career goals for club and country, cementing his reputation as one of football’s most prolific forwards.
Now he faces perhaps his greatest international challenge yet.
Norway’s quarterfinal clash with England offers the nation an opportunity to continue its best-ever men’s World Cup run.
Victory would move the Scandinavian side one step closer to its first semifinal appearance—and keep alive the possibility of Haaland leading his country to an achievement no previous Norwegian men’s team has ever accomplished.
