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Generational marksman Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's fun."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

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

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

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for nine decades.

During these qualifying matches he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

This represents twice the goal count anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including ones where squads compete double the matches.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

But it is not solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven setups.

The Gunners playmaker has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his first appearance at the tender age of fifteen.

"Combine Haaland's success with the truth that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

We're a country of five million people and we have both the best striker and I'd propose the best playmaker, definitely among the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

Initially in many years Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 World Cup.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine in recent months.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

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

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer represented three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.