Why Erling Haaland has 'Braut' on World Cup shirt in major Man City switch up
Erling Haaland made an immediate impression at the 2026 World Cup - but all eyes were on his Norway jersey as onlookers noticed the name on the back of the shirt was different to his Manchester City top.
Enter 'Braut Haaland'. But the question is - why the extra word?
The Leeds-born striker scored twice vs Iraq at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in a 4-1 rout that puts Norway firmly in the World Cup dark horses category from what we've seen so far, with Thomas Tuchel's England the next to face the music tonight (17 June).
Anyway, Braut. It's all to do with the big man's heritage.
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His dad is retired Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Man City footballer Alf-Inge Haaland, who also played for the national side. For casuals, he's known virally for his coming together with Manchester United's Roy Keane (IYKYK) during Alf-Inge's City days.
In a hugely symbolic move of where he came from, Erling's Norway shirt name is part of him recognising his heritage with his full, legal name actually being Erling Braut Haaland.
Braut is his mother's maiden name, her being former women's heptathlon athlete Gry Marita Braut.
As The Athletic reports, Haaland is also using 'Braut' on his social media handles and is in fact 'reflective of Norwegian custom, where it is more common for both maternal and paternal names to be used'.
World Cup shirt controversy
World Cup jerseys have caused a stir in this World Cup, with FIFA already moving to make Haiti redesign their sold-out national shirt.
Their first World Cup since 1974, the country had honoured the Battle of Vertières - the final battle in Haiti's Revolution that ended in 1804.
But FIFA has strict rules on political messaging. Supplier of the kit, manufacturing company Saeta, said in a statement: "During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modification to the design.
"The final design was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti's future and was not intended as a political statement."
FIFA's official regulation 28.1 on Kit and Colours Approval states: "The display of political, religious, or personal messages or slogans of any nature in any language or form by players and team officials on their playing, team kits or other clothing considered as outerwear and formal attire, before and after playing, and equipment (including kit bags, beverage containers, medical bags, etc.) or body is prohibited."
Along with strict regulations on the kit they wear, players face a bevy of rule changes at this year's World Cup.
New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026
This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.
10-second substitution
Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.
5-second throw-ins and goal kicks
If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.
Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute
An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.
More VAR
VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.
Players can’t cover their mouths
Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.
Red cards for players leaving the pitch
Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.
Topics: World Cup, Manchester City, World News
Tom Earnshaw