Norway has been hopeful that Martin Ødegaard would return to action during the November international break, when they are expected to confirm qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The midfielder has been an influential figure throughout the qualifying campaign, providing leadership and creativity in midfield, as well as offering strong moral support to his teammates during his recent absence.
Although the team would naturally prefer to have their captain on the pitch, Ødegaard’s injury has ruled him out of action for several weeks. His recovery has been carefully managed, with optimism that he could return before the end of the year. However, the latest reports indicate that he is unlikely to feature for Norway next month.
Ødegaard’s Recovery Progress
According to the BBC, Ødegaard will not be fit to play in Norway’s matches during the November international break. While he is expected to be close to a full recovery by that stage, the report notes that he will probably not be match-ready in time to participate. This means that the playmaker has likely made his final on-field contribution to Norway’s qualification campaign for the upcoming World Cup.
The absence of Ødegaard is a setback for Norway, as his technical quality, vision, and composure have been central to their success in recent qualifiers. Nevertheless, the national team remains in a commanding position, having already established a strong lead in their group. Their performances have been consistent, and the squad has demonstrated that they can compete effectively even when key players are unavailable.
Norway’s Qualification Hopes
With qualification almost secured, Norway is on the verge of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, marking the end of a long wait of nearly three decades. Ødegaard, who has endured a frustrating run of injuries this season, will now focus on regaining full fitness in time for the tournament itself. His leadership and creativity will be vital once the competition begins, and both the team and supporters will be eager to see him return to peak condition.
Norway’s qualification would represent a significant milestone for this generation of players, and Ødegaard’s eventual comeback could provide a timely boost as they prepare to take on the world’s best teams in North America.
