Norway defender Leo Ostigard experienced a double dose of joy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming a father just days after scoring in his team's 4-1 victory over Iraq. The 26-year-old witnessed the birth of his first child, a son, via FaceTime on Friday while continuing his World Cup campaign with the Norwegian squad.
Long-Distance Support and Emotional Moments
Ostigard provided long-distance support to his partner, Aurora Eidmann, during the birth. He had been receiving parenting tips from teammate Erling Haaland. In a video published by the Norwegian Football Federation on its social media channels, an exhausted but overjoyed Ostigard shared his experience. 'I'm completely exhausted myself, it was absolutely amazing. She did so well, there wasn't much I could say, I just had to help her work and get him out. I'm proud, amazing,' he said.
An Unforgettable First Sight
Describing the moment he first saw his son, Ostigard told reporters, 'When I saw him for the first time, I was blown away. It's absolutely insane. I'm so happy and proud. It's definitely the greatest thing I've ever experienced.'
Team Celebration and Upcoming Match
Shortly after the birth, Ostigard's hotel room was visited by several teammates. 'Four lads came jumping into the room. It was probably Sander (Berge), Erling (Haaland) and Joergen (Strand Larsen),' he recounted. Norway is set to play Senegal in Group I at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Monday. Reflecting on his new role, Ostigard said, 'I think it makes me a little more relaxed, that everything has gone well, because you never know. Now it's just joy and I'm very happy that things are good, and that my boy is out.'
