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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland earns an opportunity in his premier global event next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

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

Moreover, his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's fun."

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

How Important Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

And in fact 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 Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight games - plus two assists.

That is double the goal count any competitor has scored in Europe.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, even in regions where national sides participate twice as more games.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven.

The London club's midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we have both the premier attacker and I would argue the best playmaker, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in decades Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

The Scandinavian country featured in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

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

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to reach a World Cup.

George Weah, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

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

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano featured for three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.