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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in every one of those games.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

And his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's fun."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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

And in fact he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The nation's former top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

This represents twice the scoring total any competitor has scored in Europe.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including areas where teams play double the matches.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

The London club's midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

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

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the top creator, absolutely including the top creators, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who claimed championships with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer featured for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with either country.