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

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through outstanding performance, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in every one of those games.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

And his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

What Significance Was Haaland's Contribution?

His goal tally for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two goal contributions.

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

He is the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in any continent, even in regions where squads compete twice as more games.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven assists.

The London club's midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the top creator, definitely among the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in many years Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

Their nation featured in the World Cups in 1938, 1994 and 1998, and Euro 2000.

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

Erling has previously said surpassing his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano played for three countries - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.