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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with outstanding performance, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in all those encounters.

That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

Moreover, his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 European Championship.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to register 50 finishes in less than 50 appearances.

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two assists.

This amounts to double the scoring total anyone else has scored in Europe.

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including ones where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven assists.

The London club's midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd propose the top creator, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of World Cup Spot

Initially in many years Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his father was a big career ambition for him.

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

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

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

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano played for three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.