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Generational striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his premier global event next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in all those encounters.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in any continent.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and factors, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

This represents only their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

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 the national team.

Furthermore he is only the sixth player ever, and the premier in half a century, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The nation's former top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight encounters - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the goals tally anyone else has scored in Europe.

He is the top scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, including areas where national sides participate double the matches.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland previously didn't score in a game for Norway.

Squad Contribution Complementing Haaland

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

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

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the best striker and I would argue the top creator, definitely among the top creators, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway fans will experience the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 tournament.

Erling has previously said surpassing his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a major publication in recent months.

Dodging Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they couldn't secure qualification.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer featured for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.