Erling Haaland’s remarkable performances during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have made headlines, but the Norwegian forward has recently become the focus of a viral social media phenomenon.
The incident began when Instagram influencer Emma Kate Willman posted what was intended to be a simple hair tutorial on how to create a French braid. However, viewers quickly shifted their attention away from the hairstyle itself and began to comment on Willman’s striking resemblance to Haaland.
The flood of comments highlighted her blonde locks, facial characteristics, and various expressions as reasons for the surprising likeness. The video gained immense traction, accumulating over 33 million views as countless users engaged in the discussion.
Eventually, the buzz reached Haaland, who chose to join in on the fun. In the comments section, he made a brief appearance, typing “Hi” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji, which only added to the virality of the moment.
In a subsequent video, Willman expressed her astonishment at how her braid tutorial had evolved into a conversation centered around one of football’s most prominent figures. “With the World Cup happening, I can’t believe if I get one more comment about looking like Erling Haaland,” she remarked, noting the significant increase in her online following as a result of the attention.
She mentioned that she gained “around three to four thousand followers on Instagram today.” Embracing the comparisons with humor, Willman quipped, “Seriously, the best doppelganger you give me is a male soccer player? Can we not go back to when people were calling me Zara Larsson? No offense to Haaland, but I’m just a girl from Charleston.”
The online comparisons spread like wildfire, with users inundating the comments with jokes and memes. Some users even joked that she could be Haaland’s sister, while others expressed that they could not unsee the resemblance once it was suggested.
One Instagram user commented, “Haaland’s long lost sister,” while another noted, “I thought I would be the first to call her Haaland, but even he beat me to it.” Others referred to her as the “female version of Haaland” and congratulated her on her “performance against Brazil,” with one jokingly stating, “Can’t believe this girl eliminated Brazil.”
Meanwhile, outside of the social media spotlight, Haaland continues to excel on the field. He has played a crucial role in Norway’s remarkable journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading the team to secure a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
