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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

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

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This represents merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

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

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

He remains the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including ones where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

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

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd propose the best playmaker, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

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

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

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with various top teams, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they couldn't secure qualification.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer played for three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.