Extraordinary goalgetter Erling Haaland will get an opportunity in his premier global event next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker accomplished it through sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - netting at least once in all those encounters.
This positions him as the leading goalscorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.
Additionally, his squad's 4-1 win against Italy on Sunday, featuring a Haaland brace, ensures they will playing in next summer's World Cup in North America.
The striker commented post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's significant pressure and factors, and I experience it. But it's exciting."
It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since Euro 2000.
How Important Has Haaland Been?
The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is nothing short of phenomenal.
He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.
Furthermore he is merely the sixth athlete ever, and the initial one in over five decades, to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.
The team's earlier leading goalscorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for almost a century.
In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals - in eight matches - plus two assists.
This amounts to double the scoring total anyone else has scored in Europe.
He is the top scorer in these qualifying matches in any continent, including areas where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.
Beyond a full year has elapsed since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.
Collective Performance Complementing Haaland
Yet it isn't solely about one player.
Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any competitor in European qualifying - seven setups.
The Gunners playmaker has played 67 times for Norway since his first appearance at the age of 15.
"Merge Haaland's accomplishments with the reality that in this era we also have Martin Odegaard," commented a football expert.
Norway is a nation of five million citizens and we have both the top forward and I'd suggest the best playmaker, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the English top flight.
Historical Importance of World Cup Spot
For the premier occasion in decades Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.
Norway participated in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.
Erling's dad, Alf Inge, featured in the 1994 tournament.
The striker has mentioned before exceeding his dad represented a big career ambition for him.
"Norway will cannot win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a global media outlet earlier this year.
Avoiding Historical Exclusion
Haaland heading to the upcoming World Cup with Norway guarantees he dodges his addition to the collection of iconic athletes who missed World Cup action.
Three Ballon d'Or winners didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.
The African icon, who won trophies with multiple European clubs, played for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.
Iconic Manchester United winger the footballing genius, considered by many 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 featured for three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.
