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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland secures a crack at his first major tournament this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

Additionally, his country's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing 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 considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for the national team.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for almost a century.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

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

He stands as the top scorer in these qualifying matches in every region, even in regions where teams play double the matches.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European qualifying - seven setups.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we feature both the best striker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, certainly one of the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway fans will experience the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

Their nation participated in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

Haaland's father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said being better than his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

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