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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.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

It will be only their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

The nation's former top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

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

That is double the scoring total any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifiers in any continent, including areas where teams play twice as more games.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

Our nation represents of five million people and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the top creator, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in a generation Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 tournament.

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

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication recently.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star played for three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.