Arjun Menon
Erling Haaland returns early to Manchester City from Norway duty
Erling Haaland has been released early by Norway and will rejoin Manchester City. The national team was clear the decision is not injury related.
Also heading back to their clubs are Alexander Sørloth, Julian Ryerson and Fredrik Bjørkan, who will not feature in Norway’s friendly with New Zealand on Tuesday.
“Players with particularly tight match schedules are returning back to their clubs early,” the Norwegian FA said.
City face a packed week: they host Everton on Saturday, 18 October 2025, then travel to Villarreal for a Champions League match on Tuesday, 21 October 2025.
Haaland arrives off the back of an impressive international display, having scored a hat-trick in Norway’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Israel.
Norway sit top of their qualifying group as they push for their first major tournament since 2000 and a World Cup place for the first time in 28 years.
The early release reduces the minutes risk for City ahead of two important fixtures while giving Norway flexibility to reshuffle a friendly squad at short notice.