OSLO / LONDON — Manchester City’s talismanic forward Erling Haaland has taken social media by storm, not just for his lethal goal-scoring exploits at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but for a hilariously unexpected pop-culture mix-up involving Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney during a viral appearance on YouTube.
The Norwegian striker starred in a highly anticipated “lookalike challenge” video published on June 20 by British internet personality and YouTuber KSI. Filmed ahead of Norway’s tournament matches, the video features the duo rating impersonators of various global icons. The comedic high point occurred when a Marilyn Monroe lookalike stepped onto the set donning the legendary star’s iconic white gown and blonde wig.
Instead of recognizing the mid-century cinema legend, Haaland admitted to a laughing KSI, “I thought it was Sweeney for a minute.” The British YouTuber quickly clarified that the footballer was indeed referring to the breakout star of Euphoria and the smash-hit thriller The Housemaid.
The offhand comment instantly triggered a wave of viral memes across social media platforms, with fans using laughing emojis to joke that the pressure of football’s greatest competition couldn’t shake the actress from the striker’s mind. The lookalike panel also featured uncanny impersonations of football heavyweights Harry Kane, Pep Guardiola, and Jürgen Klopp, further fueling the video’s massive global viewership.
The lighthearted distraction comes amidst a historic international campaign for Haaland. He led Norway to its first World Cup appearance since 1998, putting on a masterful two-goal performance to secure a 4-1 victory over Iraq, followed by a hard-fought draw against Senegal to successfully propel his nation into the knockout stages. Haaland’s long-term partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen—with whom he welcomed a son in December 2024—has been spotted leading the support for the striker throughout Norway’s dramatic run.
Meanwhile, Haaland’s confusion highlighted the staggering global reach currently enjoyed by Sweeney. The actress has dominated entertainment headlines in recent months following her critically acclaimed performance in The Housemaid, which has shattered streaming records to solidify its spot as a global phenomenon, simultaneously dominating the top tiers of both Netflix and Prime Video charts worldwide.
