In a moment of royal flair, Norway’s World Cup squad for this summer’s expanded tournament was unveiled not by a coach or federation chief, but by King Harald V himself. The monarch delivered a pre-recorded video on social media, confirming Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard as captain of the 26-man party. It was a fittingly majestic touch for a nation returning to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998.
Odegaard’s appointment formalises a leadership arc that has been years in the making. The 26-year-old, fresh from captaining Arsenal to the Premier League title, now inherits the armband for his country at a pivotal moment. His blend of creative vision and big-game experience will be critical as Norway navigate a group featuring France, Senegal, and Iraq. For coach Stale Solbakken, handing the captaincy to Odegaard signals a clear intent to build around a player whose influence already extends across Europe’s top leagues.
Odegaard will share the spotlight with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, whose 40-goal season has made him the planet’s most feared forward. The squad also features emerging talents like Fulham winger Oscar Bobb, Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen, and RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa. Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth offers a physical alternative up front, while Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup and Bodo/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge provide depth on the flanks. This is Norway’s deepest attacking pool in decades, a far cry from the 1998 side that relied heavily on the legendary Tore André Flo.
The royal announcement was delivered with a mischievous edge. In the video, King Harald read the names one by one, injecting personality into a usually sterile format. Defender Sondre Langas, newly called up from Derby County, joked to NRK that he “didn’t trust the King for a second” until the video finished. The monarch’s involvement underscored a national mood that blends pride with playful disbelief at finally ending the World Cup drought.
Among the selections, Hamburg’s uncapped goalkeeper Sander Tangvik was a late call-up after an injury to SK Brann’s Mathias Dyngeland. A request to fast-track former Russia Under-21 international Nikita Haikin’s nationality switch fell through, opening the door for Tangvik. The 23-year-old becomes the only player in the squad without a senior cap, a gamble that highlights Norway’s relative thinness behind first-choice Orjan Nyland of Sevilla and Watford’s Egil Selvik.
The defence is built around experienced heads like Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer, Genoa’s Leo Skiri Ostigard, and Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson. Torino’s Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and Wolverhampton’s David Moller Wolfe offer wide options, while Bologna’s Torbjorn Heggem has earned his spot after a solid Serie A campaign. In midfield, Odegaard will be supported by Fulham’s Sander Berge, Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes, and Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard, giving Solbakken both steel and craft.
The 2026 World Cup – held across the United States, Canada and Mexico – is the first to feature 48 teams, expanding opportunities for nations like Norway. Their opening match against Iraq on June 16 in Boston will set the tone, followed by clashes with Senegal and France in Group F. The format sees the top two from each group plus eight best third-placed sides advance, giving Norway a realistic path to the knockout stages for the first time since reaching the round of 16 in 1998.
For a country that has produced world-class talents in isolation – from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to John Arne Riise – this tournament represents a generation’s chance to write a collective story. The Odegaard-Haaland axis is the obvious headline, but squad depth and tactical flexibility will be tested against a technically gifted Senegal and a powerhouse France. If Tangvik or the backup defensive options are called upon, the team’s cohesion under Solbakken’s system could be the deciding factor.
The King’s novel approach and the unifying presence of Odegaard as captain have already lifted expectations. Langas’s quip captures a sentiment of cautious optimism; fans remember the near-misses of the 2000s and the painful wait. But with matches in iconic American venues and a squad blending Premier League pedigree with youthful exuberance, Norway are no longer just happy to be there. They aim to be disruptive.
As the squad gathers for pre-tournament camps, all eyes will be on Odegaard to channel his domestic success into international glory. The World Cup quest kicks off in under two weeks, and Norway’s story will be one of the tournament’s most intriguing subplots.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
