Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard will captain Norway's 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup. The newly crowned Premier League winner will, as expected, be joined by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, while Fulham's Oscar Bobb and Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen have also been chosen to represent Norway as the small Scandinavian nation has qualified for its first World Cup in 26 years.
Standout winger Antonio Nusa and assist maker Julian Ryerson will also add punch to an attack that will give the back lines of Iraq, France, and Senegal plenty to think about.
Norwegian national team coach Stale Solbakken said before the selection that it had been a difficult balancing act.
"It is difficult to find the balance. We know that some will be disappointed, but that is part of the game here. Then some will be quite satisfied. That will always be the case. What is special is that a World Cup squad has not been selected since 1998", said Solbakken to NRK about an hour before the selection.
Players like Kristian Arnstad, Zlatko Tripic, and Aron Donnum, who all have enjoyed a bright season, were not among the selected players.
The Norwegian World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Orjan Nyland, Egil Selvik, Sander Tangvik
Defenders: Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Leo Skiri Ostigard, Julian Ryerson, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, David Moller Wolfe, Fredrik Bjorkan, Sondre Langas, Henrik Falchener
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes, Patrick Berg, Kristian Thorstvedt, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup, Jens Petter Hauge, Thelo Aasgaard, Morten Thorsby
Strikers: Erling Braut Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, Jorgen Strand Larsen