🔗 Share this article

Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in every region.

And his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

His goal tally for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

That is double the goal count any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in every region, even in regions where teams play twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

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

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

Our nation represents of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the top creator, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 World Cup.

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.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who secured titles with various top teams, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano played for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with either country.