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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's fun."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

The nation's former top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the scoring total any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the top scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, including areas where squads compete twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in UEFA qualification - seven assists.

The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we have both the best striker and I'd suggest the top creator, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in a generation Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

The Scandinavian country competed in the World Cups in 1938, 1994 and 1998, and Euro 2000.

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told an international magazine in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

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

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer featured for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.