Soccer-Haaland and Odegaard headline Norway World Cup squad as keeper Tangvik gets nod

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).

Uncapped Hamburg SV goalkeeper Sander Tangvik has won the race for Norway's final World Cup spot, following a selection headache that required ‌a final sign-off from King Harald on Thursday.

Otherwise, there were few surprises as Norway will be led by captain Martin Odegaard, fresh from a Premier League title victory with Arsenal, and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. Tangvik was named in Stale ‌Solbakken's 26-man squad alongside veteran Orjan Haskjold Nyland and Egil Selvik after intense media speculation surrounding the group ‌of shot-stoppers, following a unique squad announcement delivered by the Norwegian monarch via a pre-recorded video.

The 23-year-old's inclusion caps off a chaotic goalkeeper selection process triggered by an injury to SK Brann's Mathias Dyngeland and FIFA's rejection of Bodo/Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin’s nationality switch, leaving Tangvik ⁠as the ​only uncapped player in the ⁠squad. Midfield and attacking options were boosted by the inclusions of Jens Petter Hauge and Thelo Aasgaard. Their selections came at the expense of ⁠high-profile omissions, including Toulouse winger Aron Donnum and Brann's Felix Horn Myhre, both of whom missed out on the final tournament squad despite ​participating in the qualifying campaign.

Defensive depth was reinforced by the selections of Sondre Langas and Henrik Falchener, who ⁠join stalwarts Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, and Leo Skiri Ostigard. "I didn't trust it until the video was finished. I didn't trust the King ⁠for ​a second," Langas told national broadcaster NRK.

Norway are in World Cup Group I along with France, Senegal and Iraq, in what has been labelled the tournament's "group of death". 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).