Generational goalgetter Erling Haaland will get a crack at his first major tournament next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.
And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in sensational style, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers – netting at least once in every one of those games.
That makes him the top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in any continent.
And his country’s 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, means they will be playing in next summer’s World Cup in North America.
Haaland, speaking to TV2 afterwards, said: “I’m happy, but more relieved. There’s a lot of pressure and stuff, and I feel it. But it’s fun.”
It will be only their fourth World Cup, and their first major tournament since Euro 2000.
Norwegian journalist Lars Sivertsen said “We’ve not had someone who’s been an outright superstar in the way that Erling is,”. .
He added “I think there’s already a case to be made that he’s our greatest ever player.”
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 score 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps.
Norway’s previous top scorer was 33-goal Jorgen Juve, who held that record for 90 years.
In these qualifiers he scored 16 goals – in eight games – plus two assists. That is double the goals tally anyone else has scored in Europe.
He is the top scorer in these qualifiers in any continent, including ones where teams play twice as more games.
Over a year has passed since Haaland last failed to score in a game for Norway.
Including games for City Haaland has scored 32 goals in 20 games this season.
But it is not just a one-man show.
Captain Martin Odegaard, 26, has more assists than anyone else in European qualifying – seven.
The Arsenal midfielder has played 67 times for Norway since making his debut at the age of 15.
BBC
