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

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

His goal tally for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The nation's former top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the scoring total anyone else has scored in Europe.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including ones where national sides participate double the matches.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

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

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

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we have both the best striker and I would argue the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 tournament.

Erling has previously said surpassing his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine recently.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the list of great players who never featured in one.

Three golden ball recipients didn't succeed to reach a World Cup.

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

Famous United forward George Best, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

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