The issue is not form or fitness. It appears to be paperwork - and, more specifically, how interprets residency rules.
The problem, as outlined in the update, is that appears to view that move as an interruption to his continuous residence in Norway. If that reading stands, the five-year clock effectively restarted when he returned to Bodo/Glimt.
For Stale Solbakken, this looks like a setback in squad depth more than a full-blown goalkeeping crisis. Orjan Nyland has long been Norway’s established No. 1, so Haikin was not a guaranteed starter. Even so, he would have offered strong competition and a different profile: calm, experienced, and sharpened by high-pressure European nights.
That matters. Tournament squads are often defined by reliability as much as star power, and Haikin’s recent club reputation suggests he would have been a valuable option.
This is the kind of story that exposes how modern international football can hinge on technicalities. A short club stop, no matter how brief, can end up carrying far more weight than most players or supporters expect.
The next step will be whether Haikin’s situation can still be revisited after the tournament. If not, attention will shift to the next international window - and whether Norway can finally bring a goalkeeper in form into the fold once the red tape clears.