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Generational striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition in the upcoming season, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker did it in remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - netting at least once in all those encounters.

This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

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

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but primarily relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's exciting."

This represents merely 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 nothing short of phenomenal.

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

Additionally he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to net 50 strikes in fewer than 50 caps.

The nation's former highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who maintained that achievement for nine decades.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two assists.

This amounts to double the goals tally anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the top scorer in these qualifiers in every region, including ones where squads compete twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a match for his country.

Collective Performance Alongside Haaland

However, it's not solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any other player in European preliminary matches - seven.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this period we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we possess both the best striker and I would argue the best playmaker, definitely among the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Significance of World Cup Spot

Initially in decades Norway followers will witness the pleasure of cheering their team at an international tournament.

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

Erling's dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at the 1994 competition.

Haaland has earlier stated being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to an international magazine in recent months.

Dodging Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who claimed championships with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, represented Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger the Northern Irish star, viewed by plenty as one of football's greatest players, was a Northern Ireland international during the sixties and seventies when they failed to qualify.

Los Blancos icon the footballing pioneer played for three national teams - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any national team.