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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his initial international competition next summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in every one of those games.

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

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

This represents just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

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

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

Additionally he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The nation's former highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for almost a century.

During these qualifying matches he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

That is double the goal count anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

Initially in a generation Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 World Cup.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.