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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through outstanding performance, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm delighted, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two assists.

That is double the goal count anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the highest scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, even in regions where teams play twice the number of encounters.

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

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven setups.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the best playmaker, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Qualification

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

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge, featured in the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said surpassing his father was a major professional goal for him.

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

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who claimed championships with various top teams, played for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star represented three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.