Does Martin Ødegaard play today? Iraq vs Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Martin Ødegaard takes the lead as captain and main creator of Norway against Iraq this Tuesday (16), in the opening match of Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The duel at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough (USA), at 7pm (Brasília time), represents the Norwegians’ return to the tournament after 28 years, and the Arsenal midfielder is the man responsible for orchestrating the attack.
Ødegaard arrives on a high after an impeccable campaign in the European qualifiers. The 27-year-old player registered 7 assists in just 5 games, leading the continental ranking in this regard, and was one of the best rated in the entire qualifying phase. As captain, he organizes the midfield and feeds Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth with precise passes and privileged vision of the game.
Ødegaard, the maestro who makes the team spin
At 170 cm tall, with excellent passing and the ability to dictate pace, the midfielder is the brains of the team led by Ståle Solbakken. His ability in set pieces, through balls and quick transitions should exploit the gaps in the Iraqi defense. Analysts highlight that Ødegaard’s performance will be decisive for Norway to transform superiority into goals on their debut.
Iraq tries to neutralize Norwegian creation
Iraq, absent from the World Cup since 1986, must adopt a defensive posture in Graham Arnold’s 4-2-3-1 formation to limit Ødegaard’s space. Compactness in midfield will be the main weapon to prevent the Norwegian captain from finding Haaland and company. Still, recent history shows it is difficult to contain Arsenal’s talent.
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Probable lineups
Iraq (4-2-3-1):F. Talib; H. Ali, R. Sulaka, Z. Tahseen, M. Doski; A. Al-Ammari, Z. Iqbal; I. Bayesh, A. Jasim, A. Al-Hamadi; A. Hussein.
Norway (4-3-3):THE. Nyland; J. Ryerson, K. Ajer, T. Heggem, D. M. Wolfe; M. Ødegaard, P. Berg, F. Aursnes; A. Sørloth, E. Haaland, A. Nusa.
Referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho commands the confrontation. In Group I, which still includes France and Senegal, a good performance from Ødegaard could give Norway confidence for the next challenges.
Where to watch live
In Brazil, the live broadcast will be on CazéTV on YouTube and Prime Video, with minute-by-minute details on ge.globo and Sofascore.
