Fact check: Did Erling Haaland unfollow Alexander Sørloth on Instagram after Norway's World Cup exit?

Social media has been abuzz with claims that Erling Haaland unfollowed fellow Norway striker Alexander Sørloth on Instagram following Norway's heartbreaking FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final exit to England.

The speculation quickly spread across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram fan pages and football forums, with many suggesting the alleged social media move pointed to tensions within the Norwegian camp.

But is the claim true?

The verdict: No verified evidence

As of now, there is no credible evidence that Haaland unfollowed Sørloth on Instagram.

No official statement has been issued by Haaland, Sørloth, the Norwegian Football Federation or either player's representatives regarding the rumour. Likewise, no reliable sports news outlet has reported that the Manchester City striker intentionally unfollowed his international teammate.

The claim appears to have originated from unverified social media accounts that offered no screenshots, archived records or other verifiable proof.

Why did the rumour spread?

Norway's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a narrow defeat to England in the quarter-finals, prompting intense scrutiny of the team's performance.

Whenever high-profile teams are eliminated from major tournaments, social media is often flooded with speculation about dressing-room disagreements, player fallouts and cryptic online activity. Claims about players following or unfollowing teammates frequently go viral despite lacking evidence.

In this case, the Haaland-Sørloth story gained traction largely because of the pair's prominence in Norway's attack rather than any confirmed dispute.

Have Haaland and Sørloth had issues before?

There is no public record of a significant rift between the two forwards.

Haaland and Sørloth have regularly played together for Norway and have often spoken positively about representing their country. Both have formed part of Norway's attacking setup in recent international campaigns, with their partnership viewed as one of the team's biggest strengths.

While disagreements can occur in any competitive environment, there is nothing to suggest the players have fallen out following the World Cup.

The importance of verifying social media claims

Stories about celebrities and athletes' social media activity often spread rapidly because follower lists can change for many reasons, including account settings, technical glitches or routine updates.

Without verifiable screenshots, official confirmation or reporting from reputable media organisations, such claims should be treated with caution.

Fact-checking is particularly important during major sporting events, when misinformation can circulate widely in the aftermath of emotional victories and defeats.

Bottom line

Based on the available evidence, the claim that Erling Haaland unfollowed Alexander Sørloth on Instagram after Norway's World Cup exit is unsubstantiated.

There is no reliable proof that Haaland removed Sørloth from his Instagram following list, and no indication from credible sources that the two Norway teammates have fallen out.

Until either player comments publicly or trustworthy evidence emerges, the viral claim should be regarded as false or, at best, unverified speculation.