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Once-in-a-generation goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

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

This positions him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Moreover, his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

How Important Has Haaland Been?

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

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

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goal count any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including areas where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in UEFA qualification - seven assists.

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since his first appearance at the tender age of fifteen.

"Combine Haaland's success with the truth that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million people and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in many years Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 World Cup.

Erling has previously said exceeding his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told an international magazine earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

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

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.