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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland secures a crack at his premier global event this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in each of those matches.

This establishes him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

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

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's enjoyable."

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

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

Norway's previous leading goalscorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who maintained that achievement for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two setup passes.

This represents twice the goal count anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a international appearance.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't only about Haaland.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in European qualifying - seven assists.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," said a football expert.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd propose the top creator, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of Qualification

For the first time in many years Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

His father, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his father was a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the collection of iconic athletes who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, represented Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Famous United forward the Northern Irish star, considered by many as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Ireland international during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer represented three national teams - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.