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Martin Odegaard Named Norway World Cup Captain for 2026

BBC Sport Football •
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard leads Norway's 26-man World Cup squad as captain. The 25-year-old will helm the European team at this summer's tournament in Germany. Odegaard's leadership role comes after his consistent performances for both club and country throughout the international break.

The squad boasts exceptional talent across positions, featuring Erling Haaland as the standout striker alongside fellow forwards Alexander Sorloth and Jorgen Strand Larsen. Midfield options include Arsenal teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko and versatile players like Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes. The defensive unit adds depth with players from Premier League clubs including Brentford's Kristoffer Ajer and Watford's Egil Selvik.

Norway faces a challenging World Cup group stage in Germany, with Odegaard expected to provide creative spark and leadership. The squad combines experience from top European leagues with emerging talents from Norwegian domestic football. This selection signals Norway's ambition to compete beyond mere participation in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.

The captaincy reinforces Odegaard's importance to the national team's success moving forward.