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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

His goal tally for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for the national team.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for nine decades.

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

That is double the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where teams play double the matches.

More than twelve months has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven setups.

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

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

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the premier attacker and I'd propose the top creator, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

The Scandinavian country participated in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

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

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine in recent months.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, regarded by numerous as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer 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 didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.