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Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition this coming summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup preliminary games - netting at least once in all those encounters.

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

Additionally, his national team's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, guarantees they'll be competing in next summer's World Cup in North America.

Haaland stated following the match: "I'm pleased, but mostly relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I experience it. But it's fun."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

And in fact he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in under 50 international games.

The nation's former leading goalscorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who kept that distinction for almost a century.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight matches - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifiers in any continent, even in regions where teams play twice the number of encounters.

Beyond a full year has gone by since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

Yet it isn't just a one-man show.

Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than anyone else in UEFA qualification - seven.

The Gunners playmaker has made 67 appearances for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.

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

Our nation represents of five million people and we have both the top forward and I'd suggest the premier midfielder, definitely among the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Importance of Qualification

Initially in decades Norway followers will witness the joy of supporting their squad in global competition.

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

His father, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

Haaland has earlier stated surpassing his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication earlier this year.

Escaping Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway ensures he escapes his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three best player awardees never managed to reach a World Cup.

George Weah, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker George Best, viewed by plenty as a true legend of the game, was a Northern Irish representative during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but never got to a World Cup with any national team.