Erling Haaland adds mother’s surname ‘Braut’ to Norway World Cup jersey

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland is wearing his full family name, Braut Haaland, on the back of his Norway jersey at the FIFA World Cup. The middle name comes from his mother, former heptathlete Gry Marita Braut, and reflects a Norwegian tradition of using maternal surnames as middle names. Haaland adopted the name years ago, and it first appeared on his national team kit during the qualifying campaign before being featured again at the tournament.

The change is a personal tribute rather than a marketing move. Other Norwegian players, such as defender Kristoffer Ajer (who uses Vassbakk Ajer), also display maternal surnames on their shirts. Haaland’s jersey has drawn attention as Norway reached the quarter‑finals, with the striker scoring seven goals, tying for the tournament’s top scorer.

The story has been highlighted across multiple media outlets in Europe and beyond, noting the cultural significance of preserving both parental lineages in Norwegian naming conventions.