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

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in each of those matches.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to register 50 finishes in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goal count any other player has scored in Europe.

He remains the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where teams play double the matches.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

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

The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we feature both the best striker and I'd propose the top creator, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with various top teams, played for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, regarded by numerous as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano featured for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.