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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his initial international competition this coming summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - 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 against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

How Important Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two assists.

That is double the scoring total any competitor has scored in Europe.

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifiers in any continent, even in regions where teams play twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European qualifying - seven assists.

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in decades Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

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

His father, Alf Inge, participated in the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication in recent months.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to qualify for the World Cup.

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

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.