16 goals in 8 games: Erling Haaland’s stunning record could make Norway dark horses for the World Cup

Erling Haaland is having an distinctive season even by his common excessive requirements, and after firing Norway to their first World Cup in 28 years, might he truly make them shock contenders to win it?

That might be some upset for certain, however do we have to take Haaland and co. severely? In any case, they’ve maybe the very best participant on the planet proper now, with the Manchester Metropolis striker netting a staggering 16 objectives in eight World Cup qualifying video games.

We’re used to seeing numbers like that from Haaland at membership degree, however he can clearly additionally do it with out the assistance of Pep Guardiola and world class teammates like those alongside him on the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Haaland is unstoppable, however Norway aren’t only a one-man staff both

Nonetheless, it will even be harsh on the remainder of the Norway staff to say they’re all about Haaland, nearly as good because the Norwegian purpose machine has been.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is one other massive identify on this staff, and if he stays match and reaches his greatest type, he’ll be essential to getting the very best out of Haaland by supplying him with the form of service he thrives on.

Different noteworthy gamers embody Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, and, maybe by subsequent summer season, Metropolis wonderkid Sverre Nypan as effectively.

Collectively, this Norway aspect has gone by an outstanding World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, profitable eight video games out of eight, scoring 37 objectives and conceding simply 5. On Sunday, they thrashed the mighty Italy 4-1 away from residence to indicate simply how severe they’re.

Can Norway upset the favourites on the 2026 World Cup?

Norway clearly received’t be one of many massive favourites to win the World Cup as there are such a lot of different nice groups concerned, and it’s not usually you see genuinely enormous upsets at main tournaments.

Spain and France stand out as having the very best squads, whereas England are additionally beginning to seem like a extremely severe staff beneath Thomas Tuchel, and naturally you possibly can by no means rule out different giants equivalent to Brazil, Germany or reigning champions Argentina.

However surprises do occur – assume Greece profitable Euro 2004, or extra lately when Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup closing. This Norway staff seems simply nearly as good, if not higher, than these sides, and have a very particular goal-scorer in Haaland who might be a degree above just about each different footballer on the planet in the mean time.

Simply how spectacular are Haaland’s numbers?

We’re used to it by now, however Haaland’s scoring stats actually are extraordinary.

The 25-year-old has 55 objectives in 48 caps for his nation, making him simply the sixth footballer ever to attain 50 in fewer than 50 caps.

To place that into some context, former Germany striker Miroslav Klose is presently the all-time main scorer on the World Cup with 16 objectives (see desk under for the highest seven), which got here as a part of a complete of 71 in 137 appearances for the German nationwide staff.

If Haaland will get to play as many World Cups as Klose did, and continues to attain at his present price, he might completely smash that document.

Others like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will even have that document of their sights and can absolutely get there first, nevertheless it’s going to be very attention-grabbing watching Haaland on this stage subsequent summer season.