Why Erling Haaland Wears ‘Braut’ on His Norway Jersey for World Cup 2026

For those who follow Manchester City and Erling Haaland, the sight of his jersey is familiar: above the number 9, simply the name ‘Haaland’. However, the Norwegian national team presents a different picture. Here, his jersey displays not just ‘Haaland’, but ‘Braut Haaland’.

This decision wasn’t recent; Haaland adopted the surname ‘Braut’ back in August of the previous year. Since then, he has been playing for Norway with this additional name. The reason behind it is that ‘Braut’ is his mother’s surname. His mother, Gry Marita Braut, is a former Norwegian heptathlete.

The change reflects both tradition and identity in his homeland. In Norway, surnames often serve as an expression of family origin and regional roots. Haaland’s full name is Erling Braut Haaland. ‘Braut’ comes from his mother’s side, while ‘Haaland’ was adopted from his father, former Manchester City professional Alf-Inge Haaland.

Unlike in many other countries where additional name components often receive little attention, in Norway, both names are frequently considered part of one’s official identity. This cultural tradition explains why the striker now plays for the national team with ‘Braut Haaland’ on his back, thereby making the maternal side of his family visible.

He has already been known as Erling Braut Haaland on social media for years, for instance, on Instagram. At the club level, however, the shorter version ‘Haaland’ has consistently been used.

World Cup 2026: Why Erling Haaland Wears ‘Braut’ on His Norway Jersey — A Look at the Scandinavians’ Schedule

For Haaland, the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream: he will be participating in a World Cup for the first time. In Group I, Norway will face France, Senegal, and Iraq. Their opening match is scheduled for the night of June 17th, followed by games against Senegal on June 23rd and France on June 26th to conclude the group stage.

World Cup 2026: Why Erling Haaland Wears ‘Braut’ on His Norway Jersey — His Statistics for Manchester City in the 2025/26 Season