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Once-in-a-generation goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

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

Moreover, his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm delighted, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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 kept that distinction for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the scoring total anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, even in regions where teams play twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in UEFA qualification - seven.

The London club's midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," stated a Norwegian journalist.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we feature both the top forward and I'd propose the premier midfielder, certainly one of the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in many years Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

The Scandinavian country featured in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

The striker has mentioned before surpassing his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to reach a World Cup.

George Weah, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for 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 couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer played for three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.