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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a crack at his premier global event in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

And his country's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

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

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two assists.

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, including ones where squads compete double the matches.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," said an analyst.

We're a country of five million people and we have both the best striker and I'd propose the top creator, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

The Scandinavian country competed in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

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

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

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

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.