Viral video reveals most people mispronounce Erling Haaland's surname

Erling Haaland is experiencing a career highlight with Norway at the World Cup 2026, leading his team to an unexpected quarterfinal appearance. This marks Norway's first World Cup since 1998, and their victory over Brazil was a major upset, with Haaland scoring twice in ten minutes. Amidst the excitement over his performance, a video resurfaced on TikTok showing the Norwegian striker explaining the correct pronunciation of his name. When asked by a journalist how to say his name for digital media, Haaland obliged. He stated that while "Erling Braut Haaland" is acceptable internationally, the Norwegian pronunciation differs significantly. Specifically, the initial 'H' in his surname is aspirated softly, akin to a gentle 'J' in Spanish. The 'å' sounds like an open 'o', and the final 'd' is silent. This means the common pronunciation heard globally is quite different from his native tongue, a fact highlighted by the viral video. Haaland, 25, also shared a personal detail: he requested that his jersey display both his paternal and maternal surnames, "Braut Haaland." This gesture honors his mother, Marita Braut, a former national heptathlon champion who dedicated herself to her family.

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We want to know how to pronounce your name. It is very important for us, who work in digital media. How should we pronounce your name on television and radio?