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Once-in-a-generation goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through sensational style, scoring 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 qualification in all continents.

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

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

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

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 register 50 finishes in fewer than 50 caps.

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

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goals tally anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where national sides participate twice as more games.

More than twelve months has passed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in UEFA qualification - seven.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we have both the best striker and I'd propose the top creator, definitely among the top creators, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Qualification

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

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge, participated in the 1994 tournament.

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

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s 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.