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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland will get a chance to play in his premier global event next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in each of those matches.

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

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

The striker commented post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This marks just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

How Important Has Haaland Been?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

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

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

Norway's previous top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he scored 16 goals - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

This represents twice the scoring total any competitor has scored in Europe.

He stands as the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where teams play double the matches.

Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in European preliminary matches - seven setups.

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

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

Our nation represents of five million citizens and we possess both the best striker and I'd suggest the top creator, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the Premier League.

Historical Importance of Qualification

For the premier occasion in decades Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their national side in worldwide event.

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated exceeding his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to a global media outlet in recent months.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway guarantees he dodges his name going on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients couldn't manage to reach a World Cup.

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

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer played for three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with either country.