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Generational marksman Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event next summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

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

And his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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 register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

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

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where squads compete twice as more games.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I'd suggest the best playmaker, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

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

Haaland's father, Alf-Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 World Cup.

Erling has previously said exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, regarded by numerous as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano represented three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with either country.