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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his first major tournament in the upcoming season, 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 - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

The Crucial Role Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has registered 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for nine decades.

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 netted in UEFA matches.

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

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

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

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

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

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd propose the top creator, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of Successful Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their national side in worldwide event.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a global media outlet in recent months.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland heading to the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three Ballon d'Or winners couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who secured titles with various top teams, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

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