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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

And his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

This represents merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 European Championship.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

His goal tally for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is only the sixth player ever, and the premier in half a century, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goal count any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the top scorer in these preliminary games in every region, even in regions where national sides participate double the matches.

More than twelve months has elapsed 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 additional assists than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we have both the premier attacker and I would argue the premier midfielder, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication recently.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

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

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer played for three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.