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Generational marksman Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

Moreover, his country's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I sense it. But it's fun."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Did Haaland Play?

His goal tally for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 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 register 50 finishes in less than 50 appearances.

The nation's former highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the goal count any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including ones where national sides participate twice as more games.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven.

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

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I would argue the premier midfielder, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway fans will experience the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

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

Avoiding Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who missed World Cup action.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, 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, regarded by numerous as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.