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Once-in-a-generation marksman Erling Haaland earns a crack at his premier global event this coming summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Premier League striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, netting 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in each of those matches.

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

And his squad'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.

Haaland stated post-game: "I'm pleased, but more relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I feel it. But it's fun."

It will be merely their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

How Important Was Haaland's Contribution?

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

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

Furthermore he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the premier in half a century, to score 50 goals in less than 50 appearances.

The team's earlier highest scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who held that record for nine decades.

In these qualifiers he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two assists.

This represents twice the goal count anyone else has scored in Europe.

He stands as the leading goalscorer in these preliminary games in all continents, including areas where teams play twice the number of encounters.

More than twelve months has elapsed since Haaland previously didn't score in a international appearance.

Team Effort Alongside Haaland

Yet it isn't solely about one player.

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

The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the fact that in this generation we additionally possess Martin Odegaard," stated an analyst.

Norway is a nation of five million people and we have both the premier attacker and I would argue the top creator, absolutely including the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Relevance of World Cup Spot

For the first time in many years Norway fans will experience the excitement of backing their team at an international tournament.

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

Haaland's father, Alf Inge Haaland, participated in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before being better than his father was a big career ambition for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Oversight

Haaland's participation in the global tournament with Norway means he avoids his name going on the list of great players who missed World Cup action.

Three golden ball recipients never managed to reach a World Cup.

The African icon, who secured titles with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, represented Liberia - who didn't make it to a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, considered by many as among the best ever, was a Northern Ireland international during the 1960s and 70s when they couldn't secure qualification.

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