08.07.2026 01:30
World leaders gathered in Ankara took a football break from the intense NATO Summit agenda on global security and strategic partnerships. As the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, which has taken the entire world by storm, spilled into the backrooms of the summit halls, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney openly requested Erling Haaland from Norway. UK Prime Minister Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre posed for a friendly photo in national jerseys before the quarterfinal match between their countries.
The NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Ankara witnessed not only critical defense agreements but also very colorful and humorous football conversations among the leaders. The ongoing excitement of the FIFA World Cup became the biggest behind-the-scenes entertainment for the leaders amidst the summit's dense agenda.
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER CARNEY ASKS NORWEGIAN COUNTERPART FOR HAALAND
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose team was eliminated from the World Cup after being paired with tournament powerhouse Morocco in the Round of 16, attempted a humorous transfer during the meetings at the summit.
Meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Carney jokingly asked to "borrow" world-famous Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has shone with his goals in the tournament, for his own national team.
In moments captured by cameras during the meeting, Carney, smiling at his counterpart, teased, "Interoperability among allies also means sharing teams and crew. If you could share Erling Haaland with us for the next World Cup, it would be received with great gratitude," prompting laughter from those in the room. In response to Carney's humorous request, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre and other officials in the room reacted with laughter, and the leaders concluded the pleasant moment by shaking hands.
BRITISH AND NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTERS POSE WITH JERSEYS BEFORE QUARTERFINALS
On the other hand, the football excitement turned into a friendly rivalry between England and Norway, who will face off in the World Cup quarterfinals. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre came together at the British Embassy Residence during the sidelines of the summit in Ankara.
Ahead of the critical quarterfinal match to be played on Saturday, the two leaders donned the national football team jerseys of their respective countries and posed together in a display of friendship. Immediately after their official meeting discussing developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, Starmer and Støre put on their jerseys and exchanged playful banter, enjoying a light-hearted football conversation before the match.
The NATO summit in Ankara featured unforgettable moments extending from the political arena to the football pitch, driven by the leaders' interest in the world's premier football event.