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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland secures a crack at his first major tournament next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with outstanding performance, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

This positions him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Moreover, his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's fun."

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

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

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

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

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two assists.

This amounts to double the goals tally any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in every region, including areas where teams play twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Alongside Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Captain 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 his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we have both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

Initially in decades Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

The Scandinavian country participated in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

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

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet recently.

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the list of great players who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer played for three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any national team.