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Generational marksman Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his initial international competition this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with sensational style, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

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

And his squad's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented post-game: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

His goal tally for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

And in fact 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 leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the scoring total any other player has netted in UEFA matches.

He stands as the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including ones where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

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

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

But it is not solely about one player.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

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

Our nation represents of five million people and we possess both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

Initially in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a significant personal target for him.

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

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the list of great players who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The Liberian legend, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano represented three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.