Erling Haaland has become the internet’s meme king during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sparking viral hits ranging from Dragon Ball Z comparisons to AI-generated scenes from the 2004 comedy White Chicks. The Norwegian striker’s rise as a cultural phenomenon extends far beyond his on-pitch performances, with multiple fan-created edits and his own playful responses turning him into one of the tournament’s biggest social media sensations.
The Majin Buu meme, which compares Haaland to the Dragon Ball Z villain, originated on January 9, 2021, when an X user known as DepalomitaOk posted artwork depicting Haaland as Super Buu while he played for Borussia Dortmund. The comparison played on fans’ perception that Haaland’s blond hair, facial features, and broad frame resembled the pink anime character. Though the initial post received little attention, the meme steadily gained traction among football and anime communities over the following years, then exploded during the 2026 World Cup as Haaland’s profile soared.
The White Chicks meme emerged more recently as an AI-generated video that superimposed Haaland and Brazilian star Vinícius Jr. onto an iconic scene from the 2004 film, where characters sing and dance. The video went viral ahead of Brazil versus Norway in the Round of 32, a match Haaland and Norway won decisively. Terry Crews, who starred in the original White Chicks film, approved the AI memes, calling them “a perfect combination of entertainment meeting sports,” according to Philstar.com.
Rather than ignore the jokes, Haaland embraced them. On July 7, 2026, he responded to an Instagram post from the account hidden.ny comparing him to Majin Buu by commenting, “I mean I don’t disagree.” The comment racked up nearly 130,000 likes within days, cementing his willingness to engage with the viral trend, according to Yahoo Sports and Know Your Meme.
Haaland’s cultural moment extended beyond memes. On July 7, 2026, DJ Kygo released a remixed version of Haaland’s 2016 rap song “Kyjo Jo,” which he recorded as a teenager with his Norway Under-17 teammates Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg under the group name Flow Kingz. Haaland posted on Instagram: “Made it moment! Thanks, @kygomusic! Does this mean I’m officially an artist now?” The song release had been promised by Kygo if Norway beat Brazil—a condition fulfilled when Haaland scored twice in the upset victory.
Beyond social media, Haaland is set to voice a Viking Marauder in the upcoming animated film “Viqueens,” adding another entertainment credit to his expanding portfolio. Norway’s run at the 2026 World Cup continues with a quarterfinal matchup against England on July 12, but Haaland’s meme legacy appears already cemented in internet culture.
Sources
- Philstar.com — Erling Haaland’s White Chicks and Majin Buu memes, Terry Crews approval, and remixed rap song details
- Yahoo Sports / Know Your Meme — Majin Buu meme origin (January 9, 2021), Haaland’s Instagram response (July 7, 2026), and meme history
- ABC News — Haaland as social media phenomenon during World Cup 2026
