The eagerly-awaited clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium (KO 22.00 UK) will see Haaland potentially come up against City colleagues Marc Guéhi and Nico O’Reilly alongside a host of other familiar English faces.
The City icon has, of course, already enjoyed numerous blue riband occasions across the course of his storied career to date.
He has also emerged as the talisman in Norway’s charge through to the last eight, scoring seven goals to date, including a brilliant brace in last Sunday’s 2-1 Round of 16 victory over Brazil.
But the 25-year-old admitted the chance to play against the country where he was born and where he plys his daily trade - with a World Cup semi-final at stake - would be a moment to truly savour.
“It’s a super special game,” Haaland said looking ahead to Saturday night’s Miami showdown.
“I play in England and I’m born in England.
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“You also play against [your club] teammates and everything.
“So, it’s a bit weird – a funny game but it’s going to be nice.
“I definitely didn’t expect this at all.
“I said it plenty of times before - even before the Brazil game I didn’t expect - and I didn’t expect us to be in the quarter-finals with Norway in the World Cup.
“It’s quite surprising even for me.
“I enjoy so many things. First of all, just to be able to play in the World Cup is just an honour and a huge goal for me in my career.
“To be able to be here and play on the biggest stage with my Norwegian friends against the best teams in the world is really special.
“Playing Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and to go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special.
“I think if you watch the scenes back in Norway [you can see] it’s not normal for Norway.”
Haaland has cut a relaxed, calm figure throughout Norway’s journey so far and has emerged as one of the World Cup’s truly iconic figures.
Despite the huge attention on him wherever he goes, Haaland says he has sought to remain grounded and to try to have fun and enjoy the World Cup adventure where possible.
And the City star also couldn’t resist throwing in a few mind games into the build-up, saying that he felt England were clear favourites to progress!
“England should be confident of progressing – its England,” Haaland added.
“There are some clear favourites out there and England is one of them so I think every one of you should put every single pressure on the English lads!
“It’s important to joke around and I think every one of you know me now and that I like to joke a little bit and have fun.
“That’s the key from my daily life.
“Of course, train good, focus well and prepare well but you also need to joke around and enjoy the moment.”
Watch our 2026 tour games on CITY+!
Subscribe to CITY+ now to see all three of City’s games during our 2026 pre-season tour of Asia.
We start in Hong Kong against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August, with kick-off at 12:30 (UK).
After that, we go to Seoul to play a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday 5 August and then Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August. Both games begin at 12:00 (UK).
All three will be available to watch on mancity.com and our official app for current CITY+ subscribers globally*.
Available for £34.99 for an annual subscription or £9.99 per month, CITY+ gets you closer to the Club than ever before, with documentaries, live games and full-match replays throughout the season.
*City v Inter: Globally available except China, Italy
K League All-Stars v City: Globally available except South Korea
City v Atletico Madrid: Globally available except South Korea, Spain
