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Generational striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he registered 16 finishes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

This represents twice the scoring total anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including ones where teams play double the matches.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

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

The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since his first appearance at the young age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the fact that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I would argue the best playmaker, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Qualification

For the premier occasion 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 1938, 1994 and 1998, and the 2000 European Championship.

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

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet in recent months.

Escaping Historical Omission

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

Three golden ball recipients never managed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to 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 mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.