Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Haaland's Record Goals Lead Norway to 2026 World Cup; Italy to Play-offs
Soccer star Erling Haaland scored a lot of goals to help Norway qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Italy lost to Norway and will now play in a qualifying play-off.
Haaland had a physical encounter with an Italian defender but still scored two goals.
Erling Haaland scored 16 goals in qualifying, leading Norway to their first World Cup since 1998.
Norway secured qualification with a perfect record of eight wins, finishing six points ahead of Italy.
Haaland's goals include a brace against Italy, despite a physical encounter with defender Gianluca Mancini.
Italy, needing a nine-goal win, lost 4-1 and will now face play-offs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken praised Haaland's leadership and goal-scoring ability.
- Who
- Erling Haaland and the Norway national soccer team, Italy national soccer team
- What
- Qualified for the 2026 World Cup (Norway); Lost and will play in qualifying play-offs (Italy)
- When
- 2026
- Where
- US, Mexico, and Canada
- Why
- Haaland's record-breaking goal-scoring led Norway to a perfect qualifying record; Italy needed a nine-goal win to qualify
Norway's Perspective
Italy's Perspective
Qualification Status
Norway's Perspective
Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Italy's Perspective
Lost and will play in qualifying play-offs
Haaland's Performance
Norway's Perspective
Haaland's goal-scoring led to qualification
Italy's Perspective
Haaland's physicality and goal-scoring were challenging
- Goals scored by Haaland
- 16
- Norway's qualifying record
- 8 wins
- Italy's qualifying result
- Lost 4-1, play-offs
- Last World Cup appearance (Norway)
- 1998
- Upcoming World Cup hosts
- US, Mexico, and Canada
- Haaland's age
- 25
