Erling Haaland — the generational striker redefining modern goalscoring — has finally secured his chance to shine on the biggest international stage. The 25-year-old Manchester City superstar fired Norway into the World Cup with a breathtaking qualifying campaign that saw him score 16 goals in just eight matches, finding the net in every single game.
His double in Norway’s crucial 4-1 victory over Italy confirmed their spot at next summer’s World Cup in North America, ending the nation’s long absence from major tournaments since Euro 2000.
Haaland expressed a mix of joy and relief, telling TV2:
“I’m happy, but more relieved. There’s a lot of pressure… but it’s fun.”
Norwegian journalist Lars Sivertsen said Haaland has already entered legendary territory:
“I think there’s a real argument that he’s our greatest ever player.”
A Record-Breaking Qualifying Run
Haaland’s statistics for Norway are nothing short of astonishing. With 55 goals in 48 international appearances, he recently became just the sixth player in history to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps — and the first to achieve it in 53 years.
His tally of 16 goals in the 2026 qualifiers is double that of any other European player, and higher than any player across all continents, even where more games were played.
Meanwhile, Martin Ødegaard continues to supply world-class service. The 26-year-old Arsenal captain leads Europe in assists with seven, and now has 67 caps since debuting at just 15.
Sivertsen highlighted the duo’s importance:
“We’re a country of five million people and we have both the best striker and one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. That won’t happen again in my lifetime.”
However, he also emphasized that Norway’s success depends on more than just its two stars, comparing their structure to Wales’ 2016 team built around Bale and Ramsey with key supporting roles.
Ending Years of Frustration
For Norway, qualifying is a moment years in the making. Their last World Cup appearance was in 1998, and despite a strong generation in recent years, they repeatedly fell short. Sivertsen says this moment feels more like relief than pure joy:
“This team should be in these tournaments. Finally, we’re getting there.”
This qualification also allows Haaland to surpass his father. Alf Inge Haaland played at the 1994 World Cup but had a quieter club career compared to his son’s era-defining success.
Erling once told Time Magazine:
“If we qualify, it would be like another big nation winning the World Cup. It would be the biggest party ever.”
A New Kind of Norwegian Football Hero
Haaland’s personality stands out in a country known for modest sporting icons like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Sivertsen describes Haaland as “not a typical Norwegian”:
He’s confident, outspoken, and aware of his superstar status — traits that sometimes create friction but also define his global appeal. Still, pride across Norway is universal as he carries the country into a new era.
Avoiding a Place on Football’s Unlucky List
By qualifying, Haaland avoids joining the list of greats who never played at a World Cup — names like George Weah, George Best, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Ryan Giggs.
With the breakthrough finally achieved, Norway will now prepare for their biggest stage in decades — powered by the most unstoppable striker in world football.
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