El Hadji Malick Diouf wary of Haaland at FIFA World Cup – ‘He’s a machine’

Senegal national team defender El Hadji Malick Diouf has labelled Norway and Manchester United forward Erling Haaland as a ‘machine’ as both nations prepare to face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup beginning in June.

The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and it will be jointly hosted by sixteen cities—eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.

The tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations, and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from 32. The African champions have been drawn in Group J alongside France, Norway, and Iraq.

However, what is worrying the West Ham United defender is coming face to face with Haaland during the global competition.

Senegal will not have it easy against Norway

“Norway plays very good football. I’ve watched their recent matches, and if you see how Bodø/Glimt are performing… it’s no easy task. They have a lot of very good players, so it will be a difficult match,” said Malick Diouf in an interview with TV2 as quoted by WiwSport.

“I learned a lot there. It’s not easy, at least not for me, it’s completely crazy. But I’ve improved tremendously mentally.”

Haaland is one of the best strikers in the world

On facing Haaland, he said: “He’s a machine. I played against him at Manchester City, the game ended 1-1, and he didn’t score. But he’s capable of scoring in every way imaginable and at any time.

“He’s one of the best strikers in the world, so we absolutely have to contain him.”

Speaking with the same channel TV2, former Senegal international El Hadji Diouf admitted the game against Norway will be crucial for the African champions.

“They’re a very good team, with good players. It will be difficult, but Senegal also has a good team right now. This will be a crucial match for us, an opportunity to measure ourselves against a great team like Norway,” said Diouf.

On facing Haaland, he said: “We are not playing against Haaland, but against a whole team. When you look at their collective, even in the Champions League with clubs like Bodø/Glimt, several players are performing at a very high level.”

Senegal versus Norway will take place on June 23rd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.