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Generational striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

Additionally, his country's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's fun."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 Euros.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the scoring total anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including areas where squads compete double the matches.

More than twelve months has passed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

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

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

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we have both the best striker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the first time in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

Norway participated in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

The striker has mentioned before being better than his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told an international magazine earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the mid-century period when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer played for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.