A showdown between the world's top goal-scorers will unfold in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Norway (FIFA ranking 19th), led by Erling Haaland (Manchester City), and Harry Kane's England (4th) will face off in the quarterfinals for a ticket to the semifinals. The two players are engaged in a fierce battle of pride not only for their nations' victory but also for the title of the world's best striker. With the Round of 16 now complete, Haaland and Kane are competing for the tournament's top scorer with seven and six goals, respectively. Since one of them will have to pack their bags depending on the quarterfinal result, the Golden Boot race is also expected to be shaken up.
Norway toppled Brazil (5th) 2-1 in the Round of 16 held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, U.S., on June 6 (Korea time).
Norway, which reached the finals for the first time in 28 years since the 1998 France World Cup, advanced to the quarterfinals with the win, recording its best-ever result. It also set a record of two wins in two matches against Brazil in World Cup history. Meanwhile, Brazil, the record holder for the most World Cup titles (5), failed to reach the quarterfinals and packed its bags. It was the first time in 36 years since the 1990 Italy tournament (a 0-1 loss to Argentina) that Brazil was eliminated in the Round of 16.
In another Round of 16 match that followed, England defeated co-host Mexico (10th) 3-2 after a hard-fought battle. England is aiming for its second World Cup title overall, its first in 60 years since the 1966 tournament on home soil. England fell into a numerical disadvantage after Jarell Quansah (Leverkusen) was sent off in the 54th minute, but the two first-half goals by Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), followed by Kane's go-ahead goal, brought down Mexico. Mexico had aimed to surpass its best-ever result (quarterfinals) achieved at the 1970 and 1986 home tournaments, but had to settle for reaching the Round of 16.
In both fiercely contested matches, the outcome was decided by the heads and feet of the frontline strikers. Norway's Haaland shook the opponent's net with a brilliant header in the 79th minute while locked at 0-0 with Brazil. Eleven minutes later, he received a pass from Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica) near the left side of the penalty area and scored his second goal with a powerful cannonball-like left-footed shot. Haaland, who exploded his sixth and seventh goals in succession, rose to a tie for the tournament's top scorer alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappé.
England's Kane also scored a decisive goal. In the 60th minute, with England trailing 2-1, Kane converted a penalty kick with his right foot, earned when Anthony Gordon (Barcelona) collided with the goalkeeper. Mexico then scored one goal to chase, making this the winning goal. Kane recorded his sixth goal of the tournament, closing the gap on the co-leading group to one goal.
Norway and England, which each defeated "tough opponents" to reach the quarterfinals after hard-fought battles, will clash at Miami Stadium in the U.S. at 6 a.m. on June 12 for a semifinal ticket. The key players in the quarterfinal clash are again Haaland and Kane. Depending on the two players' performances, the fate of both teams is likely to be decided.
In their head-to-head record in international matches, England holds the advantage with seven wins, three draws and two losses in 12 matches. England won 1-0 in their most recent match, held at Wembley Stadium in London, U.K., on September 3, 2014.
However, Norway now has a lineup with talents incomparable to those days, including Haaland, Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) and Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid), so the outcome is uncertain. Moreover, having defeated the powerhouse Brazil, one of the title contenders, and gaining great confidence throughout the squad is a major boon for Norway.
