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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

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

Additionally, his country's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and things, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

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

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

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

This represents twice the goals tally any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including areas where squads compete twice as more games.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any other player in UEFA qualification - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I'd propose the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in many years Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before being better than his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication in recent months.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the list of great players 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 claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.