Why does Erling Haaland have name changed to ‘Braut’ on his Norway jersey?
Fans have noticed that the Norwegian striker has ‘Braut Haaland’ with the No. 9 on his shirt at the 2026 World Cup, and here’s why.
Erling Haaland is already one of the biggest attractions at the 2026 World Cup. Any development involving the Norwegian superstar quickly becomes news. And there is one detail surrounding the Manchester City forward that has largely gone unnoticed during Norway’s recent games.
For some time, Haaland has been honoring his mother by adding her surname alongside his father’s on the back of his Norway jersey. It is a gesture he is expected to continue at the World Cup. Norway opens its campaign against Iraq in Boston at 12:00 a.m. ET on June 17, and the striker will wear “Braut Haaland” on his shirt as a tribute to his mother.
Haaland’s special tribute to his mother
Haaland’s mother is Gry Marita Braut, a former professional heptathlete. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was a well-known defender who played for Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Manchester City.
It was during Alf-Inge Haaland’s time in England that Erling Haaland was born in 2000. While the forward is known worldwide simply as Haaland, his national-team jersey reflects both sides of his family name.
The decision allows the Norway international to publicly recognize his mother’s surname on one of soccer’s biggest stages.
Does Haaland have ‘Braut’ on Manchester City jersey?
The World Cup will therefore see Haaland wearing a jersey that highlights his mother’s family name alongside his father’s. However, that is not the case at club level.
For Manchester City, the Norwegian continues to wear the familiar, singular “Haaland” on the back of his shirt. The addition of “Braut” remains a distinctive feature of his appearances with the national team, making his World Cup debut even more personal.
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