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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

Additionally, his country's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

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

This amounts to double the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in any continent, including areas where national sides participate double the matches.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

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

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European qualifying - seven.

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the top creator, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 competition.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine recently.

Dodging Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with various top teams, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

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