Martin Ødegaard has confirmed he is good to go for Norway’s opener in the FIFA World Cup. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Martin Ødegaard has confirmed he is good to go for Norway’s opener in the FIFA World Cup. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Norway captain Martin Ødegaard says he has no concerns about his fitness ahead of his side’s opening World Cup Group I match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, his nation’s first game at the finals since 1998.
With Erling Haaland scoring the goals and Ødegaard pulling the strings in midfield, Norway has made its way back to the top table of global football, but a run of injuries early in the year raised questions over the health of the midfielder who recently won the English Premier League title with Arsenal.
“I feel good. I don’t know what you’re so worried about – yes, I’ve had some trouble, as you know, but I feel good now,” Ødegaard told reporters on Sunday.
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Having missed out on the last six World Cups, Norway stormed to victory in its qualification group ahead of Italy and Israel on the back of eight wins in eight games, with 37 goals scored and five conceded.
“That’s where we’ve set the standard, after what we’ve done in qualifying. We’re changing expectations; that’s good, and I’m not going to say that’s wrong. Now it’s Iraq that matters,” Ødegaard said.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said both Ødegaard and Haaland were fit for the opener against Iraq, with Haaland in particular looking sharp.
“He had his best training session yesterday, 11 against 11, and he had the goal of the year. It would have been the goal of the year in the World Cup if it had been broadcast, a volley from 20 metres – if it had hit (goalkeeper Egil) Selvik, he would have been killed, but luckily it went into the corner,” the coach laughed.
Published on Jun 15, 2026
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