Copenhagen, Aug 23 (IANS): Norwegian Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has been excluded from his national football team before the start of the European qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Odegaard, who played last season with Real Madrid Castilla and participated with the first team during pre-season preparations, was included in the Norway U-21 squad for the qualifiers in the European Under-21 Championship, reports Efe.

Norway will debut in the European qualifiers against Germany before playing a friendly game against Belarus.

Norway coach Per-Mathias Hogmo said he selected his squad in preparation for the qualifying game against Germany and that Odegaard can play and train with the U-21 team, emphasising that not picking the youngster has nothing to do with his potential loan to French Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Norway is playing the 2018 World Cup European qualifiers in Group C along with Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and San Marino.