Haaland Fit for Norway's World Cup Qualifier Against Moldova

Erling Haaland cleared to play for Norway despite injury

Norway's Erling Haaland is set to play against Moldova despite suffering a cut lip in a bus accident. Get the latest updates on his injury and the match.

“He had a few stitches, got the bleeding stopped and even went to the dentist, I think, but there's nothing to worry...”

Norway's Erling Haaland is set to face Moldova on Tuesday despite a freak accident involving the team bus's baggage door striking him in the face. The incident occurred on Sunday when Haaland was exiting the bus outside the team's hotel, resulting in a cut lip that required three stitches. Coach Stale Solbakken confirmed Haaland's fitness for the match, saying, “He had a few stitches, got the bleeding stopped and even went to the dentist, I think, but there's nothing to worry about for the match or anything like that.”

Erling Haaland 0️⃣ - 1️⃣ Bus Door 😅🥴 pic.twitter.com/SRJyv60Hi2

— LiveScore (@livescore) September 8, 2025

“We should be glad it turned out well, because that could actually have gone badly,” Solbakken told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, expressing relief that the injury wasn't more severe. Haaland himself shared a photo of the injury on social media, captioned, “Just got banged out by a bus door 3 stitches.” This news is a significant boost for Norway, who are chasing their first World Cup appearance in over 25 years, having secured four wins from four matches in their qualifying campaign.

Bus 1️⃣ ➖ 0️⃣ Haaland

Haaland needed three stitches (!) after being hit by a bus door while on international duty 🤕🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/peZhDN4jOl

— 433 (@433) September 8, 2025

The team's latest update indicates that there's no cause for concern ahead of their upcoming match. “He had a few stitches, got the bleeding stopped and even went to the dentist, I think, but there's nothing to worry about for the match or anything like that,” according to the latest statement.

Norway is on track to secure a spot in the World Cup, with four wins from four matches in their qualifying campaign. They're hosting Moldova, who currently sit at the bottom of Group I without any points. A win would further solidify Norway's position, as they chase their first World Cup appearance in over 25 years.