Erling Haaland has provided Norway with reasons to celebrate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his long-time girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, cheering him on. Johansen has recently begun to share more aspects of her life publicly.
While she has remained selective about what she shares, her story is unfolding through social media, various fashion projects, and Norway’s World Cup journey. This includes insights into her background as a footballer and her developing interest in fashion.
From Bryne Pitches to the Public Eye
Johansen grew up in Bryne, a small town in Norway that is also the hometown of Haaland. Before she started to build a following online, Johansen played for Bryne FK’s women’s team, pursuing her passion for the sport.
Although she no longer plays competitively, she has expressed how much she misses football. In an October 2025 YouTube video with Haaland, she reflected on her playing days, stating, “To be honest, I wasn’t the best with dribbling and stuff. I was more with speed. I was running. I miss it a lot.”
Haaland himself has noted that their shared football background helps them to understand each other’s lives. In the same video, he commented, “She played football. We met and all of that. It’s nice because you understand football.”
A Relationship Forged in Football
Despite both growing up in Bryne, their relationship did not begin until after Haaland had moved to Germany to play for Borussia Dortmund. Details of how their relationship began were shared by Haaland in a September 2025 interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Haaland revealed that Johansen made the first move. He stated, “She sent me a message.” He elaborated, explaining, “She played for the same club I played for, Bryne. She was the one who checked me out. I wasn’t the one who checked me out.”
Drawing from his own experience, Haaland also offered some dating advice. He suggested, “If I have any advice? It’s to get out and socialize. Meet people and get to know people.” He concluded, “From my experience, you find your girlfriend when you least expect it. If you’re always looking for a girlfriend, you’ll never find one.”
Parenthood and New Perspectives
Johansen and Haaland became parents in December 2024, welcoming a son together. The couple has not publicly disclosed their son’s name, but they have offered occasional glimpses into their life as a family.
These glimpses have included shared trips to cities such as Paris and New York, alongside celebrations following Norway’s World Cup matches. Haaland has occasionally spoken about the impact of becoming a father on his perspective.
In October 2025, he told the Associated Press that parenthood has benefited him both mentally and physically. He explained, “You can be physically ready, but you need to be mentally ready as well.” Haaland added, “And to be honest, with a kid, it makes me even better because I actually disconnect more than ever.”
He further elaborated on this disconnection, stating, “I don’t think of football at all…When I go home, I relax even more. I think I need to give a shout-out to my son.”
In recent years, Johansen has increasingly entered the public spotlight through her activity on social media. Her online presence features content related to fashion, beauty, and travel. In June 2026, she marked a specific milestone.