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

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in sensational style, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

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

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

This marks only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

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

This represents twice the goal count any other player has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the highest scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including ones where teams play double the matches.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

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

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since his first appearance at the young age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we possess both the top forward and I would argue the top creator, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of Qualification

Initially in a generation Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

Their nation competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 World Cup.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine recently.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any of them.