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Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland secures an opportunity in his initial international competition this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with outstanding performance, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in each of those matches.

That makes him the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

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

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's exciting."

This marks merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since Euro 2000.

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.

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for 90 years.

During these qualifying matches he registered 16 finishes - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

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

He remains the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including areas where teams play twice as more games.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

However, it's not only about Haaland.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the truth that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

We're a country of five million people and we feature both the top forward and I would argue the best playmaker, definitely among the best playmakers, in the English top flight.

Historical Relevance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

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

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication in recent months.

Avoiding Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to qualify for the World Cup.

The Liberian legend, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, considered by many as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the Argentine-Spanish star represented three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.