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

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, netting 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 top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

And his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm delighted, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two goal contributions.

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

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in every region, including areas where national sides participate twice as more games.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

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

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Gunners playmaker has featured in 67 matches for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the best playmaker, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in many years Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 World Cup.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

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

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

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

George Weah, who secured titles with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.