Guardiola thrilled for 'incredible' Haaland after Norway's World Cup qualification

Pep Guardiola is delighted that Erling Haaland will get the chance to shine at the 2026 World Cup after Norway's qualification was confirmed.

Norway sealed their place at next year's tournament with a 4-1 rout of Italy last week.

Haaland scored twice in the space of 90 seconds to continue his incredible form. He finished Norway's qualifying campaign with 16 goals, more than any other player in the UEFA section. 

The 25-year-old has plundered 19 goals across all competitions for Manchester City this season, with 14 of those coming in the Premier League. None of his team-mates have scored more than once in the top flight this term.

Haaland's next Premier League goal will be his 100th in the competition, and if it comes within his next 15 appearances, he will smash Alan Shearer's record for the fastest player to reach the milestone (124 matches).

Fittingly, Haaland will be aiming to break the record on Saturday when City face Shearer's former club Newcastle United at St James' Park.

"He has been incredible this season," said Guardiola.

"He has broken all the records and is breaking a lot of personal and individual records in the Premier League and for Norway.

"Happy for him and his national team. Many of the squad from Norway were not even born when they were last at the World Cup. They have had an incredible qualification, scoring lots of goals and playing very good.

"He is a world-class player and deserves to play in the World Cup. He is the perfect age. I am so happy for him."

A win for City on Saturday would see them close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just a point, with the Gunners not in action until they face Tottenham on Sunday.

Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, Arsenal are still the big favourites to win the title, according to Opta's supercomputer, which hands Mikel Arteta's team a 63% chance of claiming the crown. City's chances are ranked at 22.6%.

"The feeling that I have had in the past where we have fought incredibly against Liverpool, I have had the feeling that we will not drop many points and if [Arsenal] can take a lot of distance it will be difficult to catch up with them," said Guardiola.

"When the distance is too big it is more difficult but at the same time we are in November and in November, in this league, nothing is defined.

"What happens in February, March? Be careful. But now it is the start of the season.

"Now, the international break is done, we have games every three or four days and the real season starts now. The important thing is to be there and to be close and after that, arrive at the end of the season with a chance that we can fight it.

"Winning [on Saturday] would be an important step for us."