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

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

And his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's fun."

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

What Significance Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two assists.

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

He stands as the top scorer in these qualifying matches in every region, including ones where teams play twice as more games.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any other player in European qualifying - seven setups.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

Our nation represents of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the pleasure of cheering their squad in global competition.

Norway participated in the World Cups in 1938, 1994 and 1998, and the 2000 European Championship.

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

Erling has previously said surpassing his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

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

George Weah, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.