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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

Additionally, 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 North America.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight games - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goal count any other player has scored in Europe.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including areas where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

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

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

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

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

Our nation represents of five million people and we have both the best striker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

The Scandinavian country participated in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 World Cup.

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet in recent months.

Dodging Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer represented three national teams - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.