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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a crack at his premier global event next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with outstanding performance, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in every one of those games.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

And his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

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

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

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

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

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

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

This represents twice the goals tally any other player has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the top scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where squads compete twice as more games.

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

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in European qualifying - seven.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," said an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we feature both the top forward and I'd propose the top creator, definitely among the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of Qualification

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

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano represented three countries - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.