Haaland and Odegaard headline Norway squad for World Cup return

OSLO: Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard have been named in Norway's squad for the World Cup, with the team returning to the tournament for the first time since 1998.

The 26-man squad was unveiled on Thursday in a video message delivered by King Harald V. Manchester City forward Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Odegaard, who will captain the side, are among the leading names in the group selected for the finals.

Other notable players in the squad include RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa, Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and Fulham's Oscar Bobb.

Norway drawn in difficult group

Norway have been placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Iraq, in one of the toughest groups at the tournament. The team, however, secured qualification in emphatic fashion by winning all eight of their qualifying matches in a section that also featured four-time world champions Italy.

Manager Stale Solbakken said the squad had earned its place through sustained performances over time.

We believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time.

In his pre-recorded social media message, King Harald said Norway had waited a long time to return to the World Cup.

The hope has lived on -- on gravel, on grass and artificial turf.. Across long distances, ferries and mountain passes.

The video accompanying the message showed remote and rugged scenery from across Norway, a country that extends far north of the Arctic Circle.

Only one uncapped player included

Goalkeeper Sander Tangvik is the only uncapped player in the squad. His inclusion came in part after Nikita Haikin's bid to change his sporting nationality from Russian to Norwegian was rejected by FIFA because of residency requirements.

Norway are scheduled to play warm-up friendlies against Sweden and Morocco early next month before opening their World Cup campaign against Iraq on June 16.

Norway squad

Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla FC/ESP), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV/GER), Egil Selvik (Watford FC/ENG).

Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Kopp Ajer (Brentford FC/ENG), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa CFC/ITA), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/ENG), Fredrik Andre Bjorkan (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino FC/ITA), Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem (Bologna FC 1909 SPA/ITA), Sondre Klingen Langas (Derby County/ENG), Henrik Saelebakke Falchener (Viking Football Club/NOR), Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund/GER).

Midfielders: Morten Thorsby (Cremonese SPA/ITA), Patrick Berg (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Sander Berge (Fulham FC/ENG), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal F.C./ENG), Fredrik Aursnes (SL Benfica/POR), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo/ITA), Thelonious Aasgaard (Rangers FC/SCO), Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa (RB Leipzig/GER), Andreas Raedergard Schjelderup (SL Benfica/POR), Oscar Bobb (Fulham FC/ENG), Jens Petter Hauge (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR).

Forwards: Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City FC/ENG), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace/ENG).