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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

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

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

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

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 European Championship.

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 Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

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, including areas where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

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

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

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

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

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

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

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication in recent months.

Dodging Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his addition to the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

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

George Weah, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

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

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with either country.