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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland earns a crack at his initial international competition in the upcoming season, following his guidance 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 qualifying matches - netting at least once in every one of those games.

This positions him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.

And his country's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will participating in next summer's World Cup in North America.

The striker commented following the match: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

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

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

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

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the scoring total any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

He is the top scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, including areas where teams play twice as more games.

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

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

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

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

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this period we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

We're a country of five million citizens and we have both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the top creator, absolutely including the top creators, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in many years Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their squad in global competition.

The Scandinavian country competed in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine earlier this year.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland heading to next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

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

George Weah, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend the Argentine-Spanish star featured for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.