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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns an opportunity in his first major tournament this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

And his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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

And in fact he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the goal count anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He stands as the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including ones where squads compete double the matches.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

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

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since his first appearance at the tender age of fifteen.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I'd propose the best playmaker, definitely among the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in many years Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their squad in global competition.

The Scandinavian country featured in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 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 significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet recently.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees never managed to reach a World Cup.

George Weah, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer played for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.