🔗 Share this article

Generational striker Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in his initial international competition next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in outstanding performance, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

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

And his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, means they will be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm delighted, but more relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

This represents just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

His goal tally for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for the national team.

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.

Norway's previous highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

During these qualifying matches he netted 16 strikes - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

That is double the goal count any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in any continent, 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 international appearance.

Collective Performance Beyond Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I would argue the best playmaker, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in many years Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

Norway featured in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

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," the striker mentioned to an international magazine earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

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

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.