Martin Odegaard has withdrawn from the Norway squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Israel and friendly against New Zealand due to a knee injury, Afrosport reports.
The 26-year-old picked up the injury in the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over West Ham United and was replaced by Martin Zubimendi in the 30th minute.
Odegaard was making his second consecutive start having picked up a shoulder injury in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on September 13 which saw him miss three games.
Arsenal in a statement said: “Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team for their upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the first half in Saturday’s win over West Ham United.
“Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.”
A medical update on Martin Odegaard 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2025
Norway currently top Group I in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and will play Israel in Oslo on Saturday before facing New Zealand in a friendly three days later.
