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Extraordinary marksman Erling Haaland earns a chance to play in his initial international competition this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers - finding the back of the net consistently in every one of those games.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualification in every region.

And his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland, speaking post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and stuff, and I experience it. But it's fun."

This represents merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 European Championship.

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

Haaland's goalscoring record for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.

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

And in fact he is only the sixth player ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier highest scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two setup passes.

That is double the scoring total any competitor has registered in European qualifying.

He remains the top scorer in these qualifying matches in every region, even in regions where national sides participate double the matches.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Team Effort Beyond Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European qualifying - seven.

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

"Combine Haaland's success with the fact that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Our nation represents of five million inhabitants and we have both the top forward and I would argue the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

Initially in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

Norway competed in the World Cups in 1938, 1994 and 1998, and Euro 2000.

His father, Alf Inge, participated in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before exceeding his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland stated to a major publication in recent months.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his inclusion on the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

George Weah, who won trophies with various top teams, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Iconic Manchester United winger George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar Alfredo di Stefano featured for three nations - Argentina, Colombia and Spain - but didn't make it to a World Cup with any of them.