Manchester City’s new star responds to Haaland’s World Cup mockery

By Sanjay Menon — 13 August 2026 — 4 min read

Elliot Anderson, a new signing for Manchester City, has addressed comments made by teammate Erling Haaland on Instagram. Haaland had reportedly mocked Anderson following an incident during the recent World Cup, which was held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Haaland’s comments were made in response to a fan on Instagram. The Norwegian striker had posted a picture with the caption, “Back to sunny Manchester!” A fan then replied, “Say hi to Anderson for me,” to which Haaland responded, “The diver?” This exchange apparently referenced a contentious moment from the World Cup quarter-final match between Norway and England.

World Cup Incident and Aftermath

During the World Cup quarter-final, which saw Norway eliminated by England with a 2-1 score, a particular incident involving Haaland and Anderson drew significant attention. With the match tied at 1-1, Torbjørn Heggem scored for Norway after a rebound from a corner. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR.

Officials determined that Haaland had pushed Anderson to the ground, leading to the goal being wiped off. This decision reportedly angered many in Norway. While some fans believed Anderson went down too easily, others suggested that Anderson had initiated contact with Haaland. Haaland himself described the VAR decision as “poor.”

Anderson, 23, confirmed he was aware of Haaland’s Instagram post. He stated, “Yeah, it got round pretty widely. He was calling me a diver.” Despite the public jibe, Anderson indicated that there was no lingering animosity between the two players. He added, “It was funny. He was really good today and helped me settle in, he was completely honest with me, he’s a really good guy.”

Team Preparations and Other Returns

Both Anderson and Haaland were present for pre-season training, signaling their return to club duties ahead of the new Premier League campaign. Manchester City reportedly spent £116 million to bring the England international Anderson to the Etihad Stadium, with hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title.

Haaland, who was the Coca-Cola Premier League Golden Boot winner last season, had a notable performance at the World Cup, scoring seven goals for Norway. Following his World Cup commitments, he took a break, during which he attended a Dolce&Gabbana fashion show and met basketball legend Michael Jordan, among other activities, before returning to Manchester.

Other World Cup stars have also rejoined their respective Premier League clubs. Chelsea welcomed back Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto, and Reece James, while new signings Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, and Maxence Lacroix began training with the team. Arsenal saw the return of their Spanish World Cup winners Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, alongside English players Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke. David Raya and Bukayo Saka also returned to Arsenal last week.

Some players have also returned with new looks. Saka displayed a braided haircut at Arsenal, and Dan Burn of Newcastle United sported a slicked-back style. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool initially teased a new hairstyle on Instagram, showing long hair, but later revealed a shaven head after undergoing hair transplant surgery post-World Cup. Pep Chavarria, a 28-year-old Spanish left-back, has joined Chelsea from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year deal, making his top-flight debut at 24 with Rayo Vallecano.

In other club news, Gustavo Hamer has rejoined Coventry City, having previously played for the club from 2020 to 2023, scoring 19 goals in 132 appearances before moving to Sheffield United. His return comes after singer Tom Grennan discussed his potential signing with Coventry City boss Frank Lampard. Additionally, Matthias Jaissle, the new manager for Newcastle, has already had a “special song” created by supporters, adapting lyrics from a 1977 hit. Crystal Palace defender Oscar Mingueza, who joined last month from Celta Vigo, showcased his piano skills to teammates and fans. Crystal Palace also confirmed the return of forward Evann Guessand on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to buy, after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Selhurst Park, helping them win the UEFA Conference League.

The return of these players marks a significant step in preparations for the upcoming season, with teams looking to integrate new signings and returning World Cup participants.

Source: goal.com