Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been named captain of Norway’s 26-man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Ødegaard, who recently led Arsenal to the Premier League title, will captain a Norway side featuring attacking stars including Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Norway’s squad announcement attracted attention after King Harald V unveiled the final list in a pre-recorded video shared on social media.
Goalkeeper Sander Tangvik received a surprise call-up following an injury to Mathias Dyngeland.
Tangvik is 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.
Derby County defender Sondre Langås admitted players were uncertain about the announcement until the final moment.
“I didn’t trust it until the video was finished. I didn’t trust the King for a second,” Langås told NRK.
Norway will open their World Cup campaign against Iraq in Boston on June 16 before facing Senegal and France in the group stage.
The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to do everything within his power to help end…
The South African government has withdrawn a directive on processing asylum applications following xenophobic clashes…
The Federal Government has announced plans to conduct 25,000 free cataract surgeries across Nigeria by…
Parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the display of the preliminary register of…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Obidient Movement, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the…