If you’ve watched Erling Haaland recently, you’ve probably noticed he looks a bit different. Not the hair or the sheer, terrifying physicality he brings to the pitch—that’s all still there. But there’s a new kind of "dad energy" radiating from the Manchester City forward. If you’re wondering does haaland have kids, the answer is a resounding yes.
He’s officially a father.
It wasn’t a massive, curated Vogue-style reveal either. In typical Haaland fashion, the news sort of trickled out through a mix of cryptic social media posts and a classic "oops" moment from his manager, Pep Guardiola.
The December Surprise: How the News Broke
The world first got a hint that things were changing back in October 2024. After smashing yet another record for the Norway national team, Haaland posted a photo on Instagram. He had the match ball tucked under his jersey, thumb in his mouth—the universal "we’ve got a baby on the way" signal. He captioned it with a baby emoji and the word "soon."
Fast forward to late December 2024. While the rest of us were arguing over turkey leftovers, Haaland was welcoming a new addition to the squad.
We actually found out for sure because Pep Guardiola couldn't help himself. After a match against Leicester City, Pep told reporters that it had been an "emotional few days" for Erling because he’d just become a father for the first time. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing. In an era where every celebrity birth is a sponsored event, the world’s most clinical striker just... had a kid and went back to work.
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Meet Isabel Haugseng Johansen: The Mom
The mother is Isabel Haugseng Johansen. You’ve probably seen her at the trophy celebrations, but she isn't your typical high-profile WAG.
Isabel and Erling are childhood sweethearts. They both grew up in Bryne, Norway, and actually played for the same local football club. They’ve known each other since they were basically toddlers.
She’s a footballer herself, which probably explains why she can handle the chaotic schedule of a Premier League superstar. While she’s stepped back from the pitch a bit lately—growing a human will do that to you—she’s been a constant, quiet presence by his side since his Borussia Dortmund days.
What Do We Know About the Baby?
Not much. And that’s clearly by design.
As of early 2026, the couple has been incredibly protective of their child’s privacy. Here is the breakdown of what is actually confirmed:
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- Birth Date: The baby was born in late December 2024.
- Gender: It is a boy. Haaland actually confirmed this himself in a 2025 interview with AP, where he gave a "shout-out" to his son for helping him find a new level of focus.
- Name: Still a mystery. They haven’t released it to the public, and frankly, they might never.
It’s interesting to see how he balances it. You’d think a newborn would wreck a striker's stats—sleep deprivation and elite-level cardio don't usually mix. But Haaland claims it’s done the opposite.
He recently mentioned that having a son has helped him "disconnect." When he’s at the Etihad, he’s a Viking. When he goes home, he’s just a dad. He’s even joked about playing Minecraft with Isabel while the baby sleeps. It’s a weirdly wholesome image for a guy who spent the afternoon bullying Premier League center-backs.
Why People Still Keep Asking: Does Haaland Have Kids?
The confusion usually stems from how private the guy is. Most people are used to seeing every detail of a footballer’s life on TikTok. With Haaland, you get training clips, "God is Great" captions, and maybe a photo of a steak.
He doesn't post "day in the life" vlogs with a stroller.
There’s also the fact that he’s only 25. In the modern game, that’s still quite young to start a family, especially when you're busy trying to break every goal-scoring record in existence.
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The "New" Haaland on the Pitch
Since becoming a dad, his form hasn't dipped. If anything, he looks more relaxed. There was a period in early 2025 where people wondered if the "dad life" was catching up to him, but he shut that down pretty quickly with a five-goal haul in the Champions League.
He’s admitted that he’s "growing up." He’s not just playing for himself or his legacy anymore; he’s playing for the next generation of Haalands. Considering his dad, Alfie, was a pro, and now Erling is the best in the world, the expectations for this little guy in 2045 are already going to be through the roof.
The Reality of His Private Life in 2026
Life in Manchester for the Haaland family seems surprisingly normal. Well, as normal as it can be when you earn £500,000 a week and own a £5 million car collection.
They spend time at their place in Marbella when the schedule allows, but for the most part, they stay tucked away. Isabel has started to do a bit of food influencing on Instagram, sharing snippets of their travels and meals, but the baby is almost always kept out of the frame.
So, if you’re looking for a name or a face, you’re probably going to be waiting a while. Erling is a master of "the pivot"—both on the grass and when it comes to the media.
Facts to Keep in Mind
- Yes, he has one child (a son).
- No, he is not married yet, though he and Isabel have been together for years.
- The baby arrived just before the start of 2025.
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest, your best bet is to watch his post-match interviews rather than his social media. He’s far more likely to let a detail slip when he’s riding the high of a hat trick than in a planned post.
The most actionable thing for fans to do is respect the boundary. It’s clear the "Terminator" has a soft spot, and keeping his family life quiet is exactly how he stays so lethal during the 90 minutes that actually matter.