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Generational striker Erling Haaland secures a crack at his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's fun."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for the national team.

And in fact he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to register 50 finishes in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He remains the top scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where national sides participate double the matches.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd propose the premier midfielder, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in many years Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

Norway competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.

Haaland's father, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 World Cup.

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but never got to a World Cup with any of them.