🔗 Share this article

Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

And his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

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 absolutely remarkable.

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

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer 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 kept that distinction for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

That is double the goal count any other player has scored in Europe.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in any continent, even in regions where national sides participate double the matches.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in European qualifying - seven.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

We're a country of five million people and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, absolutely including the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

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

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano played for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any of them.