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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland earns an opportunity in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

And his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the premier in half a century, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

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

That is double the scoring total anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including areas where teams play twice as more games.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

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

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd propose the best playmaker, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of Qualification

Initially in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their squad in global competition.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 World Cup.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet in recent months.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

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

Famous United forward the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.