Pep Guardiola once again made his stance on Erling Haaland crystal clear: not only is he one of the best footballers on the planet, he has also earned Norway’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, ending nearly three decades of absence from the world’s biggest stage. The Manchester City manager expressed pride in the striker’s performances and in the historic milestone achieved with his national team.

Haaland in machine mode: goals, records and a World Cup ticket

Haaland is having yet another outrageous season. Between club and country, he has scored 32 goals, including 16 in just eight qualifiers, a number that explains why Norway will play a World Cup for the first time since France 98. For Guardiola, his striker is delivering a campaign of historic proportions.

“He’s playing at an incredible level. Breaking his own records, Premier League records, and national records,” the Catalan coach said in a press conference. According to Pep, many Norwegian players “weren’t even born” the last time the country played in a World Cup, making this qualification almost generational.

The manager insisted that Haaland, given his status and performances, “deserves to experience a World Cup” and added that he is “very happy” for what this means for him and for an entire nation that had been waiting decades for this moment.

City turns to the Premier League with no room for error

Guardiola also used the press conference to discuss the Premier League title race, where City is chasing Arsenal, currently four points ahead. Pep didn’t mince words: he doesn’t expect Mikel Arteta’s team to drop many points this season.

“Arsenal are as strong as ever and I don’t get the feeling they will slip up much,” he said. Even so, he emphasized that the real pressure begins now that international football pauses until March. “February and March are when everything gets decided. We need to win tomorrow, it’s a key step.”

City will face Newcastle United this Saturday at St. James’ Park, a rival that already experienced Guardiola’s firepower last season, when the citizens defeated them 4-0 with an Omar Marmoush hat-trick at the Etihad.

With Haaland in full flight, City knows any misstep could be costly. With the Premier League tight, a World Cup on the horizon, and a striker in unstoppable form, Guardiola keeps the focus where he always wants it: win today so you don’t regret anything tomorrow.