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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland secures a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through sensational style, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in all those encounters.

That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

Moreover, his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented post-game: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since Euro 2000.

What Significance Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has hit 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in less than 50 appearances.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the goal count any competitor has scored in Europe.

He stands as the highest scorer in these qualifiers in all continents, even in regions where teams play twice as more games.

Over a year has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

But it is not just a one-man show.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the top forward and I'd propose the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

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

The Scandinavian country competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 competition.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication recently.

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who never featured in one.

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

The African icon, who claimed championships with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer played for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.