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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland secures a crack at his premier global event in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This positions him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

And his country's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

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

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

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

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goal count anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in every region, including ones where teams play double the matches.

More than twelve months has passed since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

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

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

We're a country of five million people and we have both the top forward and I'd propose the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge, participated in the 1994 World Cup.

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

"Norway will not win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.