Erling Braut Haaland’s popularity has skyrocketed into a worldwide phenomenon, further amplified by his spectacular performances for Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Continue reading to learn more about the global Haaland craze.
Norway is seeing a surge in global interest in travel following its standout performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with football star Erling Haaland and the viral “Viking row” celebration helping put the Nordic country firmly on travelers’ radar.
The soccer star has become one of the most popular athletes on the globe. Following his stellar World Cup campaign, Haaland is currently enjoying some deserved vacation time. However, he seemingly ran into NBA legend Michael Jordan, one of the world’s best-known figures, even outside of sports. When Haaland shared a picture on his social media of the two in casual attire, fans started commenting on everything from the height comparison to speculation about what the two must have talked about.
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The trend mirrors tourism boosts seen after other World Cup successes. Spain’s tournament victory triggered a 33-fold increase in flight searches from China, while Cape Verde’s historic World Cup debut drove a 5,000% surge in US travel searches, highlighting the growing influence of major sporting events on tourism demand.
Fans across the globe are drawn to the striking contrast between his physical dominance on the pitch and his surprisingly down-to-earth, goofy personality off it.
According to Euronews, online interest in Norway has risen sharply since the tournament. Google Trends data shows that searches for the Polish term “Norwegia” increased by 200% year over year, while global searches for the English keyword “Norway” were up 300%. Flight search data from Kiwi.com also showed that average daily flight searches from Poland to Norway between July 1 and 20 were 32.3% higher than during the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, Airbnb recorded a 15% increase in accommodation searches for Norway between June 11 and July 12 compared with the same period a year earlier.
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Viral Appeal
Haaland’s massive social media following surged during the recent World Cup, as fans celebrated everything from his flowing blond hair to his one-word comments and his humorous responses to viral memes.
Much like the “Travis Kelce effect” in American sports, Haaland’s magnetic personality has drawn millions of casual viewers and non-soccer fans into international soccer and tourism.
After scoring 7 goals to help Norway reach their first quarterfinals since 1998, he has cemented his status as one of the most recognizable and beloved athletes on the planet.
Norway’s World Cup campaign adds to growing evidence that success on football’s biggest stage can influence travel demand, as destinations increasingly benefit from the global attention the tournament generates and the viral moments that capture audiences far beyond the pitch.
The Global Haaland Craze, Tor Kjolberg reporting.
Feature image (top) © Norges Fotballforbund.