Erling Haaland's sleep routine sparks interest as experts warn against viral mouth taping trend

Norwegian football star Erling Haaland has once again captured headlines, not only for his performances on the pitch but also for his unusual sleep routine.

The 25-year-old striker, who recently scored twice to eliminate Brazil from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is known for following a strict recovery programme to maintain peak physical condition. Alongside a diet of around 6,000 calories per day, Haaland has previously said that sleep is the most important part of his training.

One of the habits attracting attention is his use of blue light-blocking glasses before bed to reduce exposure to light from phones, computers and televisions.

Haaland has also been linked to the practice of "mouth taping", where people place a strip of tape over their lips while sleeping to encourage breathing through the nose instead of the mouth.

Although the trend has become popular on social media, medical experts are urging caution.

Dentist Maria Fernanda Braga explained that while breathing through the nose is generally healthier because it filters, warms and humidifies the air before it reaches the lungs, there is currently limited scientific evidence to support mouth taping as a routine sleep aid.

She said people should first understand why they are breathing through their mouth during sleep, as it may be caused by an underlying medical condition.

Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Pedro Baptista de Castro also said that the concept of nasal breathing is supported by science, but the use of tape itself has not been proven to deliver significant health benefits.

He pointed to a 2025 systematic review that analysed 10 studies involving 233 patients, concluding that mouth taping provides only limited clinical benefits and may carry safety risks for some people.

Health experts advise anyone experiencing snoring, sleep apnoea or breathing difficulties at night to seek medical advice before trying mouth taping or similar techniques.