Martin Odegaard Sets World Cup Record with Historic Assists

Martin Odegaard has made headlines by equaling a world record for assists in his first three FIFA World Cup matches. His contributions were pivotal in Norway's first-ever World Cup victory against Ivory Coast. With a chance to extend his record in the upcoming knockout stage, Odegaard's performance has captured the attention of football fans worldwide. Discover how he achieved this remarkable feat and what lies ahead for Norway in the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 1, 2026, 05:04 IST

Odegaard's Remarkable Achievement

In a historic moment for Norwegian football, Martin Odegaard matched a significant world record by assisting Nusa's stunning goal during Norway's inaugural FIFA World Cup win against Ivory Coast at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, securing a 2-1 victory on June 30. The captain of Norway has accomplished a rare feat, having assisted in every match he played in the World Cup, a milestone achieved only twice before in the tournament's history. Odegaard's journey began with a debut assist to Leo Østigard in a 4-1 triumph over Iraq. He followed this by setting up Erling Haaland's goal in a crucial 3-2 win against Senegal, which guaranteed their advancement to the knockout stage. He was rested for the final group match against France.

Martin Odegaard Makes History

Odegaard has now become the third player ever to record an assist in each of his first three World Cup matches. The last player to achieve this was the legendary German footballer Michael Ballack in 2002, during Germany's journey to the finals. Players With Assists in Their First Three FIFA World Cup Matches (According to OPTA Since 1966)

Player	Country	Year
Igor Belanov	USSR	1986
Michael Ballack	Germany	2002
Martin Odegaard	Norway	2026

Odegaard now has the opportunity to make history by becoming the first player to assist in his first four World Cup matches when Norway faces off against Brazil, the five-time champions, in the Round of 16 on July 5 in New Jersey. In the match against Ivory Coast, Amad Diallo equalized in the 74th minute, but Erling Haaland restored Norway's lead in the 86th minute. Nusa's goal, set up by Odegaard, marked Norway's second goal in a World Cup knockout match, the first being 88 years ago in 1938 during a 2-1 loss to Italy.