Erling Haaland's World Cup workload fuels Manchester City load‑management concerns

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola warned that Norway striker Erling Haaland's intense World Cup schedule – multiple sprints, aerial duels and emotional knockout minutes – could jeopardise his fitness for the club ahead of the new season. Guardiola stressed the need to manage Haaland's workload to avoid neuromuscular fatigue once club football resumes.

Haaland, who scored four goals in the group stage and was an unused substitute in Norway's loss to France, posed with American rapper Travis Scott and handed him a signed jersey. Norway coach Stale Solbakken rested Haaland, citing medical tests that showed high fatigue levels, and said, "Erling and Martin are team players; they know what is best for the team." The team now prepares for a round‑of‑32 clash with Ivory Coast.