Iraq and Norway kick off their World Cup 2026 group stage campaign in this anticipated fixture. The match takes place on Tuesday 16 June at 11 PM (BST) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Norway makes its first World Cup appearance since 1998, eager for a strong start with star striker Erling Haaland leading the line. This prediction for Iraq vs. Norway suggests a challenging opening game for the Iraqi side, who are expected to employ a robust defensive strategy.
Find out where to watch the match and what our expert predictions are, as well as the expected lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - Iraq vs. Norway
- Iraq starts their World Cup 2026 journey after a tough qualification. They are expected to be well-drilled, focusing on counter-attacks in this opening fixture.
- Norway makes their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Fans anticipate how stars Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland will combine.
- This marks the first meeting between these two nations. As the group stage opener, both teams will aim for a winning start.
Head-to-Head Record
- There is no head-to-head data available for past competitive meetings between Iraq and Norway.
- Norway have been in strong form, winning 14 of their last 21 international matches, losing only three.
- Iraq have a mixed record in their last 21 games, with 10 wins and seven losses.
- Norway’s Alexander Sørloth has been directly involved in seven goals in his last eight appearances, scoring five and assisting two.
- Iraq’s midfielder Osama Rashid has scored one goal in his last nine international games.
- Norway have scored an impressive 31 goals in their last ten matches.
Iraq Team Analysis
Iraq secured their World Cup spot after a tough 2-1 play-off win against Bolivia. Recently, their friendly performances have been mixed, including a loss to Venezuela and a win over Andorra, but also an impressive 1-1 draw with Spain.
Under coach Graham Arnold, Iraq is a well-drilled and organised team. Their likely strategy involves a strong defensive setup, aiming to absorb pressure and launch quick counter-attacks.
One injury (A. Yahya) in the Iraqi squad. Midfielder Osama Rashid is a key player. The team’s tactical discipline will be crucial in this challenging match.
Norway Team Analysis
Norway enters their first World Cup since 1998 with strong momentum, losing only three of their last 21 international matches. Their World Cup – Qualification Europe 2024 campaign was dominant, including high-scoring victories.
The team has a fully fit squad for this tournament, a significant advantage. Key attacker Alexander Sørloth has five goals and two assists in his last eight national team games. Erling Haaland will make his World Cup debut in the Iraq vs. Norway match.
This strong lineup and consistent form suggest Norway is well-prepared for their World Cup 2026 opening fixture. They will aim for a positive performance.
Iraq vs. Norway Prediction: Norway to Dominate Opener
Norway arrives at their first World Cup since 1998 in formidable form, boasting a powerful attack led by Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth. With their recent high-scoring games, a result of over 2.5 goals with either team winning appears likely.
Iraq, conversely, will probably adopt a defensive strategy to withstand the Norwegian offensive pressure. However, Norway’s superior quality should eventually break through, and we expect over 0.5 goals in the first half as they look to establish early control.
Considering Norway’s attacking depth and recent results against Iraq’s mixed form, the main prediction is for Norway to win with a "-1.5" goal handicap, reflecting their status as clear favourites to start their campaign with a convincing victory.
| Iraq x Norway | |
| Over 2.5 goals and either team to win | 13.00000 BetMGM |
| Over 0.5 goals in the first half | 1.27 BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
Where to Watch Iraq vs. Norway
Here is where to watch Iraq vs. Norway in the UK:
- TV: BBC One UK
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web, BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR)
Iraq vs. Norway Predicted Lineups
As the World Cup 2026 campaign begins, both teams’ managers are meticulously preparing their starting XIs for this crucial opening fixture. The anticipated Iraq lineup indicates a tactical approach focused on defensive solidity and launching quick counter-attacks. Meanwhile, the Norway lineup, benefiting from a fully available squad, possesses diverse options to assert control over the game and secure an early advantage in this prestigious competition.
Iraq
J. Hassan; A. Hashem, Z. Tahseen, M. Doski, H. Ali; A. Sher, Y. Amyn, A. Jasim, A. Al Ammari; A. Hussein, A. Al Hamadi.
Manager: Graham Arnold.
Norway
Ø. Nyland; J. Ryerson, T. Heggem, D. Wolfe, K. Ajer; M. Ødegaard, S. Berge, F. Aursnes; E. Haaland, A. Nusa, A. Sørloth.
Manager: Ståle Solbakken.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Iraq vs. Norway
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 16/06/2026
- Kick-off: 11 PM (BST)
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States
- Broadcast: BBC One UK, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web, BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR)
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