Martin Ødegaard has been named captain of the Norway national football team squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
The Arsenal F.C. midfielder, who recently guided the club to the Premier League title, will lead a talented Norway squad featuring stars such as Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Norway’s squad announcement attracted attention after King Harald V revealed the final 26-man list through a pre-recorded social media video. Uncapped goalkeeper Sander Tangvik received a surprise invitation following the injury to Mathias Dyngeland.
Tangvik remains the only uncapped player in the squad after former Russia Under-21 goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was unable to complete his nationality switch before the tournament.
Defender Sondre Langås admitted the unusual announcement kept players nervous until the very end, joking that he “didn’t trust the King for a second” until the video was completed.
