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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event this coming summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in outstanding performance, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's fun."

It will be only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

That is double the goals tally any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the top scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven assists.

The London club's midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million citizens and we possess both the top forward and I would argue the best playmaker, absolutely including the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

Their nation participated in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star played for three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.