Bellingham sends England past Haaland’s Norway into World Cup semis

Erling Haaland's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has produced two spectacles: one on the pitch, and another across the internet. The Norway striker, who led his country to the quarterfinals for the first time in 28 years, became the tournament's breakout meme after fans likened him to Majin Buu, the pink villain from the Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z.

"I Mean, I Don't Disagree"

The latest wave of comparisons began when the popular Instagram account @hidden.ny posted an image placing Haaland's face alongside Kid Buu — the most fearsome incarnation of the character — highlighting similarities in expression and intensity. The post quickly racked up tens of thousands of likes and spread worldwide.biz.chosun+3

Then Haaland himself weighed in. The Manchester City striker commented directly on the post: "I mean, I don't disagree". Fans flooded the replies, with comments like "even his mentality is a monster" and "he certified himself as a villain," according to a report from France's L'Equipe translated by South Korea's Chosun Biz.mashable+3

Monster on the Pitch

The meme resonated in part because Haaland's performances have matched the character's destructive reputation. He entered the quarterfinals with seven goals, placing him in the race for the Golden Boot alongside England's Harry Kane. His two-goal performance in Norway's 2-1 round-of-16 victory over Brazil — the second of which was voted the best goal of the round by FIFA — cemented his status as the tournament's most feared striker.fifa+3

Norway's quarterfinal against England on Friday ended in heartbreak, however, as Jude Bellingham scored twice to send England through 2-1 in extra time.nydailynews+1

A World Cup Beyond the Field

The Majin Buu moment is part of a broader meme phenomenon surrounding the 2026 World Cup. AI-generated fan edits featuring Haaland and other stars like Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo have swept social media, particularly in China, according to Mashable. SBS News Australia reported that Haaland has become "a celebrated icon" of the tournament as much for his internet presence as for his goals.mashable+1

Even with Norway's exit, Haaland's willingness to play along with the joke has only deepened his appeal. As one viral post put it, the World Cup "just turned into Dragon Ball Z".youtube