England’s biggest threat ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Norway is undoubtedly Erling Haaland himself. The Manchester City striker has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest threats, scoring seven goals in four games and sitting just one goal behind Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. However, former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes England’s biggest task may not be stopping Haaland himself, but closing the source that made him so deadly.Norway arrive at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on the back of a historic campaign, reaching their first World Cup quarter-final since 1998 with Haaland leading the charge. Yet Friedel argues that England’s tactical priority should also be elsewhere, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard identified as the player capable of dictating everything Norway do in possession.
Friedel explains why England should focus on Ødegaard
Haaland’s numbers have been extraordinary throughout the tournament. He scored twice against Iraq in Norway’s group stage match, followed it up with another brace against Senegal, added one against Ivory Coast and struck twice in the memorable 2-1 last 16 win over Brazil.Despite that remarkable scoring record, Friedel believes Norway’s centre-forward cannot be neutralized simply by assigning extra defenders to him.“You can’t just stop Erling Haaland – he doesn’t really have that many touches in a game – it’s about limiting the service for him,” Friedel. told SPORTbible.“If he allows his wings and defenders to get into crossing positions, even the best defenders in the world would struggle to stop Haaland from jumping and getting the ball in front of his marker.”
Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) shoots and scores his second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Instead, the former Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper believes that England’s midfield must prevent the ball from reaching dangerous areas.“You need to stop the ball reaching Haaland. Even then, Haaland can create a chance from nothing, he is so good at it.”
Ødegaard remains Norway’s creative heartbeat
For Friedel, the player England should be most worried about is Martin Ødegaard.Although the Arsenal captain has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, his influence has been immense. Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder and playmaker in depth, Ødegaard recorded three assists in Norway’s four matches while controlling the pace of almost every attack.
Norway’s Martin Oedegaard (10) reacts after battling for the ball with Brazil’s Neymar (10) during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Against Brazil in the Round of 16, he completed all but one of his 53 passes in the first half, underscoring his ability to dictate possession and progress in Norway’s midfield.“Martin Ødegaard is the player in the Norway team who gets the most touches, so you have to limit Ødegaard’s involvement,” explained Friedel.“But they are not one size – they have Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb … a lot of threats.”The Haaland-Ødegaard partnership has become the defining feature of Norway’s renaissance. Fierce Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, the pair form one of the most effective attacking combinations in international football when representing their country.While Haaland provides the finishing power, Ødegaard provides the vision, ball progression and creativity that allow Norway to consistently create high-quality chances.Norway coach Ståle Solbakken recently described his captain as indispensable.“On our team, he’s invaluable,” Solbakken said.“He was never a number 10 with Norway. He was always a two-way player, being influential in all phases.”“He always works the hardest, who covers the ground and sprints. He is the trigger. And he decides if we play 4-1-4-1 in defense, or if we play 4-4-2.”
England also possess their own midfield talisman
While Norway’s hopes rest heavily on the Haaland-Ødegaard connection, England will once again look to Jude Bellingham to control proceedings.Friedel believes the Real Madrid midfielder has already developed into one of world football’s elite players, comparing various aspects of his game to some of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
“Jude Bellingham is right there among the best I’ve seen. In his movements, he reminds me of Zinedine Zidane. Bellingham is also very good technically in tight spaces.”“Jude has that ability to play No. 8 and No. 10, he tracks, he can make a tackle, he’s good in the air in both boxes and he can also make a decisive defensive release if needed.”“He covers a lot of the pitch – in that way I can compare him to Steve Gerrard.”“We will see how Bellingham’s career develops, but he is on a trajectory to lift as many trophies as Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes or Gerrard.”As England prepare for one of their toughest tests of the tournament, Friedel’s message is clear. Haaland’s goals may dominate the headlines, but if Thomas Tuchel’s side can deny Ødegaard the time and space to orchestrate Norway’s attacks, they may have already found the most effective formula to reach the World Cup semi-finals.