NEW YORK: Norway’s players have mounted a strong defence of captain Martin Odegaard following intense domestic media criticism of his performance in their opening match at the World Cup.

Odegaard struggled in the 4-1 win against Iraq on Tuesday, appearing off the pace and failing to produce his usual creative fluency. He did, however, provide the assist for Leo Ostigard to head in Norway’s third goal before being substituted nine minutes from time.

Norwegian commentators rated the midfielder poorly, with television pundits pointing to recent injury struggles, but his team-mates strongly defended the Arsenal player.

“It is nonsense,” defender David Moller Wolfe told Norwegian TV2. “He is one of our most important players and one of the best Norwegian footballers of all time. We know how important he has been over a very long period.”

Winger Jens Petter Hauge said the squad remained unfazed by the media scrutiny and midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt dismissed the criticism as “rubbish”, emphasising Odegaard’s vital leadership role on and off the pitch.

Norway play Senegal on Tuesday and France on June 26.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026