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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland earns an opportunity in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

And his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's fun."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since Euro 2000.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

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

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for nine decades.

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

That is double the goal count anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including areas where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

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

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I'd propose the premier midfielder, absolutely including the top creators, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

Norway competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

His father, Alf Inge, participated in the 1994 tournament.

Erling has previously said exceeding his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine in recent months.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to reach a World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with various top teams, represented 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 Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer represented three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with either country.