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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in his first major tournament next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in sensational style, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in every one of those games.

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

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and factors, and I experience it. But it's fun."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact 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 leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the goals tally any competitor has scored in Europe.

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

Over a year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

But it is not solely about one player.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in UEFA qualification - seven.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the fact that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the premier midfielder, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine recently.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three best player awardees didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who secured titles with various top teams, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the Northern Irish star, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer played for three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.