Martin Ødegaard will go head-to-head with his Arsenal teammates when Norway face England in a World Cup quarter-final on Saturday at Miami Stadium. The Norway captain, who also leads Arsenal, is preparing for a massive test against a squad packed with Premier League winners.
What is the big matchup for Martin Ødegaard?
Ødegaard will come up against Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze — all fellow Premier League winners he knows well from club football. The midfielder admitted he has exchanged a few words with them during the tournament, but the focus is now purely on the job at hand.
“Not too much banter,” Ødegaard told reporters on Wednesday, smiling. “I’ve spoken to a few of them a little bit during the tournament.”
He added: “Obviously we know the quality they have. I know them really well. Outstanding players, world-class players, playing for probably one of the best national teams in the world at the moment, so it’s going to be a big test for us.”
Why does Declan Rice worry Martin Ødegaard?
Ødegaard singled out Rice for special praise, calling him a complete midfielder who can do everything on the pitch. He highlighted Rice’s energy, his fighting spirit, and his ability to drive the team forward as key threats.
“He’s someone who always gives absolutely everything for the team, always fighting for every single ball, bringing his energy to the pitch, to the team, driving the team forward,” Ødegaard said.
“He can do so many things on the pitch. He can defend, he can attack, he can be physical, he can be good on the ball. He’s a very complete player, so it’s going to be a good test for all of us.”
But Ødegaard was quick to stress it’s not just about Rice. “The whole team has unbelievable players. It’s a massive test and we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully we can make even more history.”
How did Norway get here?
Norway reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history after a stunning upset win over Brazil in the last 16. That result has given the squad real belief, even though they will again be cast as underdogs against England.
“I think Brazil was the same, we were the underdogs and, as you saw, anything can happen in football,” Ødegaard said. “We’re going to give it a good try, see what we can do and are looking forward to it.”
He added: “We have to have the belief in ourselves. We’ve shown the whole world that we’re a good team. In football, anything is possible. Even though we’re the underdogs again, let’s see what happens and let’s prepare well.”
What comes next for Martin Ødegaard and Norway?
The quarter-final kicks off on Saturday in Miami. A win would send Norway into the semi-finals and keep alive their dream of a first World Cup title. For Ødegaard, it’s a chance to beat the clubmates he battles with every day at Arsenal — and to write his name into Norwegian football history.