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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's fun."

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

How Important Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for almost a century.

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

This amounts to double the scoring total any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

He is the highest scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, including areas where national sides participate twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

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

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.

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

Our nation represents of five million people and we feature both the top forward and I'd propose the best playmaker, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

Initially in a generation Norway fans will experience the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said being better than his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to qualify for the World Cup.

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

Famous United forward the footballing genius, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star played for three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.