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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in 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 sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Moreover, his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

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

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

This amounts to double the goal count any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the highest scorer in these preliminary games in every region, even in regions where national sides participate double the matches.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven setups.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we possess both the top forward and I'd propose the best playmaker, absolutely including the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Erling has previously said exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.