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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his first major tournament this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

And his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The striker commented post-game: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I feel it. But it's fun."

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

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

In these qualifiers he registered 16 finishes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

This amounts to double the goals tally any other player has scored in Europe.

He stands as the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including ones where national sides participate twice as more games.

Over a year has passed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

But it is not solely about one player.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

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

Our nation represents of five million people and we have both the top forward and I would argue the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Qualification

Initially in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

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

Erling has previously said surpassing his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

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

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

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

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