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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

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

Moreover, his country's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I sense it. But it's fun."

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

How Important Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

Furthermore he is only the sixth player ever, and the premier in half a century, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the scoring total any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in every region, including areas where teams play double the matches.

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

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication in recent months.

Escaping Historical Oversight

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 best player awardees didn't succeed to qualify for the World Cup.

George Weah, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

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