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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with sensational style, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

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

And his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

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

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 his country.

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in less than 50 appearances.

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

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two assists.

This represents twice the scoring total any competitor has scored in Europe.

He stands as the top scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including areas where teams play twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Gunners playmaker has featured in 67 matches for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the fact that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Qualification

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

Norway competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

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

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet recently.

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three Ballon d'Or winners couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who won trophies with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer played for three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with either country.