Martin Odegaard has played a key role for Norway in their excellent start to World Cup qualifying, leading the competition in assists after three games.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal applauds the fans following his teams 2-1 defeat after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 03, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Norway captain Martin Odegaard is still trying to reach his first major international tournament, with his country failing to make it to a World Cup or European Championship since the year 2000.
With Odegaard, Haaland, and other top talents like RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb, this may be the country’s best chance of qualification for a while. The Arsenal 26-year-old seems determined not to waste it.
Georgia's midfielder #10 Otar Kiteishvili (C) and Norway's midfielder #10 Martin Odegaard (R) vie for the ball during the EURO 2024 first round group A qualifying football match between Norway and Georgia in Oslo on September 12, 2023. (Photo by LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
On Friday, Odegaard provided a clever assist to put Norway 3-0 up against Italy, likely to be the primary challengers at the top of their qualification group.
The assist was Odegaard’s fifth in his last three qualifiers, and he’s now provided more assists than any other player in UEFA World Cup qualifying.
Norway sit top of their qualification group with three wins from three, and Italy (nine points behind) are incapable of catching them in their two games in hand. Odegaard’s team have a three-point and nine-goal lead over second-place Israel.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC on March 04, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Norway can’t take their foot off the gas just yet. They have another qualifier against Estonia on Monday, and it would be a shame to waste an excellent win over Italy by dropping points a few days later.
But it looks like the team might finally have the talent and drive needed to return to the main stage, led by Arsenal’s captain.
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