Sports
Norway unveil Arsenal’s Ødegaard as 2026 World Cup captain
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been named captain of Norway’s 26-man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
According to BBC Sport, the midfielder will lead a star-studded Norway team that includes Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Ødegaard heads into the tournament after helping Arsenal win the Premier League title this season.
Norway’s squad announcement also attracted attention after King Harald V unveiled the final list in a pre-recorded video shared on social media.
Meanwhile, uncapped goalkeeper Sander Tangvik received a surprise invitation to the squad following an injury to Mathias Dyngeland.
Tangvik is the only uncapped player included in the squad after former Russia Under-21 goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was unable to complete a nationality switch in time for the tournament.
Sondre Langås admitted the unusual announcement left players uncertain until the very end.
“I didn’t trust it until the video was finished. I didn’t trust the King for a second,” the Derby County defender told NRK.
Norway will begin their World Cup campaign against Iraq national football team in Boston on June 16 before taking on Senegal national football team and France national football team in the group stage.
The expanded 48-team tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19.
Norway World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).
Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).
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