Erling Haaland has attracted attention at the World Cup not only through his goals, but also by offering fans a glimpse of his life as a dedicated gamer. The Norway and Manchester City striker owns an Xbox Series X along with a matching console-shaped mini fridge, while his favorite games include GTA, Minecraft, and a classic Call of Duty. He even declared that one of them belongs among the three greatest video games ever made.
During the 2026 World Cup, Erling Haaland showed that whenever he is not training, preparing for a match, or scoring goals, gaming remains one of his favorite ways to relax. A clip featuring the Norwegian striker spread rapidly across social media after Norway eliminated Brazil in the Round of 16 with two goals from Haaland. The footage offered a look at his Xbox Series X setup, complete with the official mini fridge designed to resemble Microsoft’s console.
Haaland certainly did not speak about gaming like a casual player. When the conversation turned to Xbox, he jokingly made his ambitions clear: “I want them to sponsor me.” The remark quickly caught the attention of fans, many of whom argued that Microsoft should genuinely consider making him an official Xbox ambassador. One of the world’s most recognizable footballers is already promoting the brand without a formal deal, owning not only the console but also one of its most distinctive pieces of merchandise.
@3djuegosmx Fuera de las canchas, Erling Haaland también es un apasionado de los videojuegos… . . . . #ErlingHaaland #GTA6 #Minecraft #CallOfDuty #Xbox ♬ sonido original – 3DJuegos México
One of His All-Time Favorites Was Released Back in 2009
Haaland’s library includes several games that millions of players already regard as classics. He mentioned Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, and the original 2009 release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. His opinion of the latter was particularly emphatic: “Modern Warfare 2 is in the top three games of all time.” He was referring not to the 2022 reboot-era title, but to the Xbox 360-generation original that remains one of the most celebrated entries in the entire franchise.
When Grand Theft Auto came up, Haaland also admitted that he is eagerly waiting for the next installment. “GTA, I can’t wait for the new one,” he said in reference to GTA VI. Asked which single game he would take to a desert island, he struggled to settle on one answer: “GTA or Minecraft.” The two series offer very different experiences, but both provide enormous worlds capable of keeping players occupied for a remarkably long time.
He Still Takes the Field as Himself in EA Sports FC
Football games naturally occupy an important place in Haaland’s collection as well. The striker proudly pointed out that he appeared on the cover of EA Sports FC 24, the first installment released after Electronic Arts ended its naming partnership with FIFA. The video also showed that he continues to play the newer entries regularly, even taking the opportunity to boast about scoring against Arsenal while controlling his virtual counterpart.
The clip emerged at an ideal moment, with Haaland established as one of the defining players of the World Cup. He scored twice during Norway’s historic victory over Brazil before facing England in the quarter-finals. England eventually won 2-1 after extra time, bringing Haaland’s tournament to an end and perhaps leaving him with more time for Xbox again. Microsoft, meanwhile, has been given a very obvious invitation: one of the most famous strikers in the world already uses its console, enthusiastically discusses its games, and has openly said that he would welcome the chance to represent the brand.
Source: 3DJuegos, Windows Central, Pure Xbox, Electronic Arts, The Guardian
