Photo Credit: Getty Images
Tom Holland has revealed that he was left on read after reaching out to Norway's football sensation Erling Haaland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on July 13, Holland explained that he spotted Haaland while attending the Monaco Grand Prix in June and decided to invite him to dinner.
"I'll text him, I'll take him to dinner. Not even a response. Not an excuse, not 'I'm busy tonight, I'm playing football.' Nada," he said, laughing at the snub. He called it "the type of humbling experience that is important for actors."
Despite being ghosted, Holland still praised Haaland as "an absolute legend," though he joked that the striker probably wouldn't want to dine with him after England knocked Norway out of the World Cup quarterfinals on July 11. "I don't think he would have dinner with me after the other day"
Haaland later gave his side of the story in a Norwegian interview, admitting he didn't recognize Holland's name and chose not to reply.
"This is a bit embarrassing, to be completely honest," he said. "We were in Monaco at the Formula 1, and then I got a message. I don't watch movies much, so I have no idea who people are. There was one asking if we could go out for dinner, but I'd never seen him, so I didn't bother to answer. I didn't want to answer an unknown person."
The Manchester City forward has been one of the standout figures of the tournament, scoring seven goals for Norway before their elimination. His towering frame, signature bun, and quirky personality have made him a fan favorite.
Meanwhile, Holland is busy promoting his new film The Odyssey, co-starring Zendaya.
