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Nikita Haikin had an impressive season with Bodo/Glimt. |
The ban on Russian football has left many of its players with virtually no chance of appearing at the world's biggest football tournament. However, Haikin's story is opening up a different path.
The goalkeeper, born in 1995, just had a brilliant season with Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. He led the tournament's save charts with 68 saves, far surpassing many big names like Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer. Haikin's consistent performance contributed to the Norwegian team's success, as they successively troubled or defeated strong opponents such as Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.
Haikin was previously called up to the Russian national team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. However, he didn't get many opportunities to play and mainly served as a substitute.
The turning point came when Haikin made a long-term commitment to Bodo/Glimt in 2019. The goalkeeper built a stable life in Norway, married a local woman, and has repeatedly expressed that he considers it his second home.
In early April 2026, Haikin will officially receive Norwegian citizenship. This means he will be eligible to play for the Norwegian national team if called up. With Norway possessing a talented generation of players like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Haikin's chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup are wider open than ever.
Source: https://znews.vn/thu-mon-nguoi-nga-thi-dau-o-world-cup-2026-post1647572.html
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