Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland dress up as vikings for amazing Norway World Cup squad photoshoot | OneFootball

The team look battle-ready as they pose with swords and shields ahead of the tournament kick-off

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and the Norwegian football team have gone viral after dressing up as Vikings in an incredible photo shoot ahead of the World Cup.

The team look ready for combat in images released by the Norwegian team on social media, with the likes of vice-captain and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sørloth posing in Norse warrior outfits complete with swords and shields.

“The Vikings are coming”, captured by David Yarrow

David Yarrow/Fotballandslaget

Captured in front of a fleet of Viking ships on the Norwegian fjords, Odergaard is seen clutching a battle horn, used to sound the charge in historic Viking Age wars, while Haaland looks battle-ready with what appears to be a Ulfberht sword.

He told the BBC that it was important for every player in the shoot to occupy the same amount of space in the frame.

Mr Yarrow has earned a reputation for his World Cup photography, famously capturing Diego Maradona raising the World Cup trophy in Mexico City in 1986.

The newly released photo has received more than 15,000 reposts on X alone as the team prepares for their first game against Iraq on June 16.

The Mail reported some journalists in Norway were concerned about the image promoting colonisation, pillaging, and raiding during the Viking era.

Nonetheless, Mr Yarrow’s photography has been celebrated as Norway looks to battle it out on the pitch.

After a 28-year absence from the tournament, Ståle Solbakken will be hoping his side can secure victory under the charge of Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.

In the build up to the tournament, Norway has looked to be one of the most in-form teams out there, boasting wins in all qualifying matches.