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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland earns a crack at his premier global event in the upcoming season, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in each of those matches.

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

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

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

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

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

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for nine decades.

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

That is double the goals tally anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in every region, including ones where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Team Effort 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 assists.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million people and we possess both the best striker and I would argue the top creator, definitely among the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his father was a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication recently.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his name going on the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

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

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star played for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.