Viral Erling Haaland video revealed to be AI - news.cgtn.com

A viral video circulating on social media appeared to show Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland reacting with surprise after catching a glimpse of his own reflection in a restaurant mirror. The footage, which gained significant traction online, was later confirmed to be a sophisticated piece of AI-generated content.

What happened

The video originated from a TikTok account under the handle @jinlongqiuqiu and was first uploaded on June 15, 2026. Analysis revealed that the clip was created using AI face-swap technology. The creator replaced the face and clothing of the original person in the video—identified as Jin Long—with the likeness of Erling Haaland. While the digital manipulation successfully replicated the appearance of the footballer, the background, the food on the table, and all other environmental details remained identical to the original recording. The resulting 13-second clip highlights the increasing ease with which creators can manipulate digital media to depict public figures in fabricated scenarios.