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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in every one of those games.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

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

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This represents only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the premier in half a century, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goal count any other player has scored in Europe.

He is the top scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, even in regions where squads compete twice as more games.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any other player in UEFA qualification - seven.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we feature both the top forward and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before being better than his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

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

Dodging Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they couldn't secure qualification.

Los Blancos icon the Argentine-Spanish star represented three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but never got to a World Cup with either country.