FIFA World Cup 2026

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Silencing hotshot Haaland vital, says England’s O’Reilly​

AFP
July 11, 2026



KANSAS CITY: England’s Bukayo Saka (L) and Nico O’Reilly arrive to speak to media before a training session at the Swope Soccer Village.—AFP

KANSAS CITY: Keeping Erling Haaland quiet would be “huge” but the Norwegian juggernaut is not the only threat to England in their World Cup quarter-final, Manchester City team-mate Nico O’Reilly said on Thursday.

Haaland has been at his rampaging best at the 2026 tournament, scoring seven goals to fire his team into the quarter-finals for the first time.

There will be plenty of club connections across the pitch in Miami on Saturday, with Haaland likely coming up against O’Reilly and centre-back Marc Guehi.

Arsenal are also well represented, with Norway captain Martin Odegaard potentially facing Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

Thomas Tuchel’s men reached the last eight after a captivating backs-to-the-wall win against co-hosts Mexico, during which they were reduced to 10 men when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off.