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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his premier global event next summer, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, guarantees they'll be participating in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented afterwards: "I'm delighted, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I feel it. But it's exciting."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

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

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

That is double the scoring total anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in all continents, including ones where squads compete twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than anyone else in European qualifying - seven setups.

The London club's midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

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

Our nation represents of five million people and we have both the premier attacker and I'd suggest the best playmaker, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

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

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 competition.

Erling has previously said surpassing his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication recently.

Avoiding Historical Oversight

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

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

The African icon, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano featured for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but never got to a World Cup with any of them.