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Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his premier global event this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in each of those matches.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

And his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for nine decades.

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

That is double the goal count anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in every region, including ones where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this era we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we possess both the premier attacker and I would argue the top creator, definitely among the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway followers will witness the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 competition.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet recently.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

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

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

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