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Soccer fans in China are rooting for Norway's Erling Haaland, their ‘Ha Bao'
By Dawn Liu, Erin Tan and Janis Mackey Frayer | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
There may not be any Chinese players at this year’s World Cup, but China has found its own soccer hero: Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
The 6-foot-4 Manchester City star is a sensation on Chinese social media, where fans affectionately refer to him as “Ha Bao,” which translates to “Baby Ha.”...
Key takeaway ” “I never thought I’d end up liking another footballer after Cristiano Ronaldo,” Gum Li, a 34-year-old from Guangdong province, told NBC News via a messaging app on Wednesday.
Why this matters in Frisco News
Frisco 's own soccer enthusiasts may be intrigued by the international fervor surrounding Erling Haaland, particularly in China where he's affectionately known as "Ha Bao." As a city with a growing soccer presence, Frisco residents may appreciate the cultural exchange and fan engagement that Haaland's popularity embodies. The fact that Haaland has gained a massive following on China's version of TikTok, Douyin, in just over a month, highlights the power of social media in bridging geographical gaps and fostering a global soccer community. Locally, this phenomenon may inspire Frisco's own soccer fans to explore international matches and players, potentially influencing the city's sports landscape and encouraging more residents to engage with the sport. As the World Cup continues, Frisco's soccer enthusiasts will likely be watching Haaland's performance, and perhaps even adopting him as a favorite, further solidifying the city's connection to the global soccer scene.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? There may not be any Chinese players at this year’s World Cup, but China has found its own soccer hero: Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
The 6-foot-4 Manchester City star is a sensation on Chinese social media, where fans affectionately refer to him as “Ha Bao,” which translates to “Baby Ha.”...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dawn Liu, Erin Tan and Janis Mackey Frayer | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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