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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in every one of those games.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm delighted, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

And in fact he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

Norway's previous top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goals tally anyone else has scored in Europe.

He remains the highest scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including ones where squads compete double the matches.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven assists.

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we possess both the best striker and I would argue the top creator, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet recently.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three Ballon d'Or winners couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who won trophies with various top teams, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they failed to 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 of them.