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Generational marksman Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in all continents.

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

Haaland, speaking following the match: "I'm delighted, but primarily relieved. There's significant pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

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

What Significance Did Haaland Play?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for his country.

And in fact he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

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

During these qualifying matches he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two setup passes.

This amounts to double the goal count any competitor has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the highest scorer in these preliminary games in any continent, including ones where teams play twice as more games.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than any other player in UEFA qualification - seven setups.

The Gunners playmaker has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the age of 15.

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this period we also have Martin Odegaard," commented an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we have both the best striker and I'd suggest the top creator, certainly one of the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

Erling's dad, Alf Inge, featured in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before surpassing his dad represented a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told an international magazine recently.

Escaping Historical Omission

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the roster of legendary footballers who didn't participate in the tournament.

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

George Weah, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Ulster footballer during the sixties and seventies when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three countries - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but never got to a World Cup with either country.