No player did more to reach this World Cup than Erling Haaland — and no debutant arrives more feared.
The Manchester City striker scored 16 goals in UEFA qualifying, more than double the tally of his nearest challenger, to end Norway's 28-year World Cup absence. Along the way he became just the sixth player in history — and the first in 53 years — to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps.
Norway last played at a World Cup in 1998 — the same tournament where Jamaica's Reggae Boyz made their famous debut in France. Twenty-eight years later, both fanbases know how much a return to this stage means.
Haaland has broken Premier League records and won the lot at club level. The World Cup is the stage he has never had. Defences, beware.