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Once-in-a-generation goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a crack at his first major tournament this coming summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This positions him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

And his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This represents just their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

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

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

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two assists.

That is double the goals tally anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where teams play twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European qualifying - seven assists.

The London club's midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we have both the premier attacker and I'd propose the top creator, absolutely including the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their squad in global competition.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet recently.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano featured for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any of them.