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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland will get an opportunity 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 sensational style, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

This positions him as the top scorer in 2026 World Cup preliminary stage in all continents.

Moreover, his squad's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's considerable expectation and things, and I feel it. But it's fun."

This represents only their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for nine decades.

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

That is double the goal count any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He is the top scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, even in regions where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

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

Collective Performance Complementing Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

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

The London club's midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the young age of 15.

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

We're a country of five million citizens and we feature both the premier attacker and I'd propose the premier midfielder, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

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

The Scandinavian country featured in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 Euros.

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

Erling has previously said being better than his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine recently.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the roster of legendary footballers who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees couldn't manage to qualify for the World Cup.

The African icon, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Real Madrid legend the footballing pioneer played for three countries - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with either country.