Odegaard Banks on Arsenal Bond as Norway Gear Up for England Quarter-Final

MIAMI, 09 JULY 2026: Norway captain Martin Odegaard has expressed confidence that his side can upset England in their FIFA World Cup quarter-final, insisting that self-belief will be crucial despite Norway entering the contest as underdogs.

Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated last-eight clash in Miami, the Arsenal midfielder said football is full of surprises and his team’s recent performances have shown they are capable of competing with the world’s best. Norway earned their place in the quarter-finals after a memorable 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil, boosting confidence within the squad.

The match will also see Odegaard reunite with several of his Arsenal teammates, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, who are part of the England squad. The Norwegian skipper said he had remained in touch with some of them during the tournament but expects no favours when they meet on the field.

Acknowledging England’s strength, Odegaard described Gareth Southgate’s side as one of the strongest teams in international football, packed with world-class talent led by captain Harry Kane. He admitted Norway faces a difficult challenge but said the squad is excited about the opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition.

The Arsenal playmaker reserved special praise for midfielder Declan Rice, calling him one of the most complete players in the game. According to Odegaard, Rice’s relentless work rate, physical presence and ability to contribute in both attack and defence make him a key figure for England.

“He gives everything for the team, wins battles all over the pitch and has the quality to influence every phase of the game,” Odegaard said while highlighting Rice’s importance.

Despite England’s star-studded lineup, Odegaard believes Norway’s victory over Brazil has strengthened the team’s belief that another upset is possible. He said the players embraced the underdog tag against Brazil and would carry the same mindset into the quarter-final.

“We believed in ourselves against Brazil and we’ll do the same against England,” he said. “Football is unpredictable, and if we prepare well and play to our strengths, anything can happen.”

With Erling Haaland leading Norway’s attack and England aiming to continue their title challenge, the quarter-final promises to be one of the tournament’s most anticipated encounters.