Norway, led by the unstoppable Erling Haaland, have recorded the best World Cup qualifying campaign in history.Â
With an emphatic 4-1 victory over Italy at San Siro on Sunday, Norway punched their ticket to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.
Stats Behind Erling Haaland’s Record-Breaking Norway
Erling Haaland’s Norway had a perfect run, winning all eight of their World Cup qualifying fixtures. They scored 37 goals in eight games and conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of +32. Their average of 4.63 goals per game is the best in World Cup qualifying history.
The goal difference of 4.0 per game, meanwhile, is the joint-best of all time. They also created the most chances, generated the highest xG, and kept four clean sheets in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Norway’s World Cup Qualifying Run in Numbers
- 37 goals in 8 games – Most goals scored in 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign
- 4.63 goals per game – Highest goal average in World Cup qualifying history
- 24.9 xG – Highest expected goals in 2026 World Cup qualifying
- 4.0 goal difference per game – Joint-highest goal difference average in World Cup qualifying history
- 48 big chances – Most big chances created in 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign
- 11-1 – Victory over Moldova was Norway’s biggest in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign
- 16 goals – 43% of Norway’s total goals came from Erling Haaland
- 5 goals – Haaland scored 5 in the 11-1 win over Moldova
- 1 minute – Haaland scored two goals in one minute in the 4-1 win against Italy (78′, 79′)
Norway Outshine Germany and Belgium’s World Cup Qualifying Performances
Germany and Belgium enjoyed excellent runs in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Norway have outshone them both in the 2026 WCQ.
In 2018, then-reigning champions Germany scored 43 goals in 10 matches, the most in a World Cup qualifying campaign. They conceded only four goals, finishing with a record goal difference of +39.
Belgium also scored 43 goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign but conceded six, ending up with a goal difference of +37.
Norway are heading to their first World Cup since 1998 🇳🇴💪 pic.twitter.com/qokfmzoI5G
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 16, 2025
Although Die Mannschaft scored more goals and had a better goal difference, they played two games more. Norway, who had eight World Cup qualifiers, finished with higher goals and goal difference per match.
Germany scored 4.30 goals and had a goal difference of +3.9 per game. Belgium had an average of 4.30 goals and difference of +3.70 per match.
Erling Haaland’s team scored 4.63 goals per game and had a +4.0 goal difference per 90. Statistically, it is the most prolific campaign a team has enjoyed in World Cup qualifying history.
Erling Haaland Matches Robert Lewandowski’s World Cup Qualifying Record
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored a brace in Norway’s 4-1 win over Italy on Monday night. The double took the Norwegian’s tally to 16 goals in just eight World Cup qualifying fixtures.
He has now equalled Robert Lewandowski’s record of 16 goals in a single World Cup qualifying campaign. However, the Polish striker took 10 games to score 16 goals, averaging 1.6 goals per game. Haaland averaged 2.0 goals during Norway’s WCQ run.
- Haaland vs Moldova (2 legs): 6 goals
- Haaland vs Israel (2 legs): 4 goals
- Haaland vs Italy (2 legs): 3 goals
- Haaland vs Estonia (2 legs): 3 goals
Haaland, whose positional intelligence eclipses even 2018 World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, has been enjoying his football this season. In addition to scoring for fun for his country, he has been in imperious form for Manchester City.
The 25-year-old has played 15 goals for Manchester City in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing an assist. With 14 strikes in 11 games, he is the Golden Boot leader in the Premier League.
