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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland will get a crack at his premier global event in the upcoming season, following his guidance Norway to the World Cup.

Additionally, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - scoring in every match in every one of those games.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in any continent.

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

The striker commented following the match: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I experience it. But it's enjoyable."

This represents merely their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.

What Significance Has Haaland Been?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 goals in under 50 international games.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight games - plus two assists.

This represents twice the goals tally any competitor has scored in Europe.

He remains the highest scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, including areas where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has passed since Haaland most recently didn't net in a match for his country.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

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

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European preliminary matches - seven assists.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this era we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we feature both the top forward and I'd propose the premier midfielder, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the Premier League.

Historical Significance of Successful Qualification

Initially in a generation Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

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

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine recently.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's qualification for next summer's World Cup with Norway means he avoids his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

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

The African icon, who won trophies with various top teams, featured for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Ulster footballer during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Los Blancos icon Alfredo di Stefano represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.