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Generational marksman Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

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

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the goals tally any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

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

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

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

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

The London club's midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

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

We're a country of five million people and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the premier midfielder, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their squad in global competition.

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

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 World Cup.

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet recently.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano featured for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but never got to a World Cup with either country.