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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland secures an opportunity in his premier global event this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

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

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for 90 years.

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

This amounts to double the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, even in regions where teams play twice as more games.

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

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

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

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the truth that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million people and we possess both the premier attacker and I would argue the premier midfielder, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 World Cup.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet recently.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.