🔗 Share this article

Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

Additionally, his country's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated afterwards: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

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

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

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the scoring total any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

He is the highest scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including areas where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

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

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the truth that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we possess both the premier attacker and I would argue the top creator, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

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

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

George Weah, who secured titles with various top teams, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer played for three countries - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.