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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland secures an opportunity in his first major tournament next summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

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

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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

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

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

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

That is double the goals tally any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including areas where teams play twice the number of encounters.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

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

The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since his first appearance at the tender age of fifteen.

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

Our nation represents of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I'd propose the best playmaker, absolutely including the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before being better than his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

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

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the list of great players who never featured in one.

Three golden ball recipients didn't succeed to qualify for the World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.