World Cup 2026 - Côte d'Ivoire: how to neutralize Erling Haaland?

One of the best forwards in the world, Erling Haaland, for his first international competition with Norway, has big ambitions. The striker has been present since the start of the 2026 World Cup and will be a real threat for the Ivorian defense. Emerse Faé must find an anti-Haaland plan.

Having a compact defensive block

Erling Haaland is an exceptional striker, a real nightmare for opposing defenders. But, he has had off games in a Manchester City shirt. He is a player who can be contained despite his physical strength.

First of all, he is an attacker who loves space. When launched, he is difficult to stop. Strong in physical and aerial duels, the Norwegian striker can score in any situation. To avoid this, Emerse Faé needs to adopt a compact defensive block. The spaces between the defensive line and the midfield need to be reduced. The goal is to prevent him from exploiting his speed and sharp runs in behind to the maximum.

The central defenders need to be focused on anticipation and reading the game. They have to anticipate Haaland's runs and adopt perfect positioning even before the ball is played. Once launched, the 25-year-old striker is unstoppable. Emerse Faé, the Ivorian coach, knows his striking power.

“I don't even need to talk about him because everyone knows him. He is a world-class player with a lot of energy. When you watch him, you can really sense he's proud to play for his country. Against Senegal, he was giving a lot of advice to his teammates and showing the example to follow. He puts in a lot of effort for the group but at the same time, he’s able to score at any moment and in any manner. He's a special player that Norway is lucky to have.,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

Man-mark Martin Ødegaard

Erling Haaland is not a player who sets up his team’s play. He's much more of a poacher. If he gets good service, he shows his clinical efficiency by blasting the ball to the back of the net. In the national team, his main supplier is Martin Ødegaard, the captain of Arsenal's Gunners. There needs to be individual marking on this midfielder.

Emerse Faé must put a midfielder in the passing lane between Martin Ødegaard and Haaland. The Arsenal player needs to be shut down as soon as he has the ball in a dangerous area. If this job is done well, the Cityzens' striker will be starved of the ball. The direct consequence: he will have less impact in the penalty area.

Don’t engage in duels with Erling Haaland

That’s his favorite area. Haaland isn’t nicknamed the “cyborg” for nothing. Thanks to his 1.95m height, the 25-year-old relishes duels, physical challenges. Generally, he beats defenders in this area. Ivorian players, especially in the penalty area, must avoid going into physical contact with him.

The stance to take: keep a slight gap to prevent him from physically overpowering the Ivorian defenders. Maintain a safe distance so he cannot lean on them.

Neutralizing Haaland is no easy task. It won't be a job for one player, but for the whole team. Cutting the link between Ødegaard and Haaland—and any other player who can send him the ball—must be the leitmotif. Offensively, Les Elephants also have arguments to make: Yan Diomandé and Nicolas Pépé among others.