Russian model says Haaland impersonation videos pass 100 million views

Russian model Anastasiya Kostromitsina has drawn wide attention on social media by imitating Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, telling Reuters that videos of her mimicking the footballer have amassed more than 100 million views. The 25-year-old said she began producing the content after friends and family pointed out the resemblance. Kostromitsina said she decided to join the online "Haaland-like" trend during the 2026 World Cup, when the forward's goals helped Norway reach the quarterfinals for the first time, including two goals against Brazil. She said the sudden wave of interest far exceeded her expectations and led to new advertising and business offers. Her Instagram following has grown to more than 139,000 as she has tapped into the Norwegian star's global popularity. Separately, Peru's national civil registry agency said that since the World Cup began, 468 newborns have been given the surname "Haaland," with 91 receiving the full name "Erling Haaland."