Captain Martin Odegaard dismisses injury worries as Norway gear up for Iraq opener

With Erling Haaland finding the net and Odegaard orchestrating play from midfield, Norway have returned to the highest echelons of international football. However, a spate of injuries at the start of the year cast doubt on the fitness of the midfielder, who recently secured the English Premier League title with Arsenal.

"I feel fine. I cannot understand why you are all so concerned. Yes, I have had some trouble, as you know, but I feel good now," Odegaard told journalists on Sunday.

After missing the previous six World Cups, Norway powered to victory in their qualifying group, finishing ahead of Italy and Israel with eight wins from eight matches, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five.

"That is the benchmark we have established, given our performances in qualifying. We are shifting expectations, which is positive, and I will not argue with that. Now the focus is on Iraq," Odegaard stated.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken confirmed that both Odegaard and Haaland are ready for the opening match against Iraq, with Haaland appearing especially sharp.

"He had his finest training session yesterday, 11 versus 11, and he scored the goal of the year. It would have been the goal of the year at the World Cup if it had been televised, a volley from 20 metres that, if it had hit goalkeeper Egil Selvik, would have killed him, but luckily it ended up in the corner," the coach chuckled.