Martin Odegaard will lead Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, named as captain of a 26-man squad that also includes Erling Haaland — and announced in the most regal fashion imaginable.

The King of Norway delivered the squad announcement via a pre-recorded video shared on social media, with Hamburg goalkeeper Sander Tangvik earning the final call-up only after receiving the monarch's personal sign-off.

A squad fit for a king

Odegaard, who recently lifted the Premier League title with Arsenal, heads the squad alongside Manchester City striker Haaland. Fulham's Oscar Bobb and Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen are also included among the 26 players selected by the Norwegian football association.

Tangvik, 23, is the only uncapped player in the squad. His inclusion came after an injury to SK Brann's Mathias Dyngeland, while a separate attempt to switch the international allegiance of former Russia Under-21 goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was rejected by the relevant football authorities.

Derby County defender Sondre Langas, who made the cut, joked about the theatrical nature of the announcement when speaking to national broadcaster NRK.

I didn't trust it [the squad] until the video was finished. I didn't trust the King for a second.

Group stage opponents

Norway begin their World Cup campaign on 16 June in Boston, where they face Iraq. They will then take on Senegal and France in what promises to be a competitive group.

The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs from 11 June to 19 July.

Full Norway squad

Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (Watford), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV).

Defenders: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton), Fredrik Bjorkan (Bodo/Glimt), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (Bologna), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa), Sondre Langas (Derby County), Henrik Falchener (Viking).

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Sander Berge (Fulham), Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica), Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Morten Thorsby (Cremonese), Thelo Aasgaard (Rangers).

Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Oscar Bobb (Fulham), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt).