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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And 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 all those encounters.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goals tally anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including ones where squads compete double the matches.

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

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

But it is not solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven assists.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the truth that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we have both the top forward and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Qualification

Initially in many years Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

Their nation competed in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.

Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

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

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his addition to the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who secured titles with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three countries - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.