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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland will get a crack at his premier global event next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

And his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in less than 50 appearances.

The nation's former top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

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

This amounts to double the scoring total any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

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

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

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

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

The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

We're a country of five million people and we possess both the best striker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in many years Norway fans will experience the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

The Scandinavian country featured in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three Ballon d'Or winners couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

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