Odegaard feels back to his best as Norway stay perfect in World Cup qualifying

Martin Odegaard said that Norway’s gameplan had helped him rediscover his best form after they stayed perfect in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 4-2 win over Israel.

Having started their Group I campaign with a thumping 5-0 win in Moldova on Saturday, Norway were free-flowing in attack again on neutral ground in Hungary.

Odegaard registered three assists – one each for David Moller Wolfe, Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland – while Kristoffer Ajer also struck for Stale Solbakken’s team.

Norway attempted 23 shots with a total value of 4.22 expected goals (xG). Only Czechia (4.23 xG versus Gibraltar, also on Tuesday) have recorded a higher total in any match in this young UEFA qualification campaign.

Odegaard created eight chances for his team-mates with an expected assists (xA) value of 1.08 – the best statistics of any player in a single game in these qualifiers.

“We have a lot of faith in what we are doing. We have developed a very good gameplan,” Odegaard told Norwegian newspaper VG.

“We have become much better offensively. We can score goals and create things in a lot of different ways. Then I also came into my own more.”

2/2 See you again in June! pic.twitter.com/plGdT28kGo

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) March 25, 2025

Though Odegaard has struggled for Arsenal this campaign, only recording four Premier League assists, team-mate Sorloth never had any doubts about his quality.

Sorloth also believes Norway have nothing to fear from their main Group I rivals Italy, who they face in their next qualifier on 6 June.

“He’s fantastic. Three assists speak for themselves,” Sorloth said of Odegaard, before turning his attention to that pivotal meeting with the Azzurri.

“With the players we have, I think all teams have respect for us. It’s up to us to take advantage of the team we have,” he added.

Norway are three points clear of Estonia and Israel in the standings, with Italy yet to play due to their Nations League commitments.