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Generational marksman Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

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

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

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

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

How Important Did Haaland Play?

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

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

Additionally he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goals tally any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where squads compete twice as more games.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists 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.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I'd propose the top creator, certainly one of the top creators, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

Their nation featured in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said exceeding his father was a big career ambition for him.

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

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who claimed championships with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.