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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a crack at his premier global event in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goals tally any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in any continent, even in regions where teams play double the matches.

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

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

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

The Gunners playmaker has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd propose the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

Initially in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said exceeding his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

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

Famous United forward the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano featured for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.