Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has no doubt that Erling Haaland will be central to his side's ambitions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a tournament that marks the country's return to the world stage after an absence of 28 years.

Haaland dominated the qualification campaign in a manner that few forwards ever have, scoring 16 goals to finish as the top scorer across all of FIFA's World Cup qualifying groups worldwide. His nearest European rivals — Austria's Marko Arnautovic, England's Harry Kane, and Netherlands striker Memphis Depay — each managed eight goals, half his tally.

Solbakken's glowing tribute