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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland secures an opportunity in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in each of those matches.

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

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

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

This represents only their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since Euro 2000.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The nation's former top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

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

This amounts to double the goals tally any other player has scored in Europe.

He is the top scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, including areas where squads compete double the matches.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

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

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

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd propose the best playmaker, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 tournament.

Erling has previously said surpassing his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

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

Dodging Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the list of great players who never featured in one.

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

The African icon, who secured titles with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon the Argentine-Spanish star played for three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.