Iraq and Norway will begin their 2026 World Cup campaigns on Tuesday night when they clash at Boston Stadium. The highly anticipated Group I fixture is scheduled for a midnight kick-off local time. Both teams will look to hit the ground running to avoid falling behind early in a highly competitive group stage.
Match Preview
Iraq’s journey to North America was anything but certain. Following a disappointing defeat against Palestine in March 2025, the country’s governing bodies made the bold move to replace boss Jesus Casas with Australian tactician Graham Arnold.
🇳🇴🗣️ مشجع نرويجي يردد مع الجماهير العراقية:
— Hayder (@hay23ds) June 16, 2026
"دگ على رأسك حيل نرويجي 😂". pic.twitter.com/GBUQ2joMPM
Arnold inherited a team at risk of early elimination but successfully navigated them through the gruelling third, fourth, and fifth rounds of AFC qualifying before securing an inter-confederation playoff spot. A dramatic 2-1 victory over Bolivia in March punched Usood al-Rafidayn’s ticket to just their second-ever World Cup finals, and their first since 1986.
Since that historic triumph against Bolivia, Iraq’s form has been a bit mixed, beating Andorra 1-0, securing a brilliant 1-1 draw with Spain on June 4, and falling 2-0 against Venezuela. They face a monumental test against a side well outside their usual confederation boundaries.
Norway’s path across the Atlantic was flawless. Despite being drawn into a tough qualification group alongside Italy, the Scandinavians put together a rampant campaign, collecting all 24 points on offer, hitting the back of the net 37 times, and conceding just five goals.
Landslaget are making their first World Cup finals appearance since France 1998, where they reached the Round of 16. While their recent warm-up friendlies have yielded mixed fortunes, lending a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, draws with Morocco and Switzerland, and a 3-1 win over regional rivals Sweden, Stale Solbakken’s men enter this clash as heavy favorites. Sitting 26 places higher than Iraq in the FIFA global rankings, Norway will look to exploit their lethal offensive firepower right from the opening whistle.
Recent Form (All Competitions)
- Iraq: L – L – W – W – D – L
- Norway: W – W – L – D – W – D
Team News
Iraq’s veteran goalkeeper and captain, the 35-year-old Jalal Hassan, is set to earn his 103rd international cap. He will need plenty of protection from central defenders Zaid Tahseen and Rebin Sulaka, while midfield anchors Amir Al-Ammari and Zidane Iqbal will look to clog the central channels. Up front, danger man Aymen Hussein will lead the line, likely supported by Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jasim, and Ali Al-Hamadi.
Norway will be spearheaded by the tournament’s most feared marksman, Erling Haaland, who is expected to start in a terrifying front three alongside Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth. Arsenal maestro Martin Odegaard will captain the side from midfield, flanked by Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes, while veteran Kristoffer Ajer anchors the back four.
Predicted Lineups
Iraq Possible Starting Lineup: Hassan; Ali, Tahseen, Sulaka, Doski; Al-Ammari, Iqbal; Bayesh, Jasim, Al-Hamadi; Hussein
Norway Possible Starting Lineup: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa
Maltasport Says: Iraq 1-3 Norway
Iraq will need a heroic, flawlessly disciplined defensive performance if they have any hope of keeping Haaland and company quiet. However, given Norway’s absolutely ruthless form in the final third during qualifying, it is incredibly difficult to see past their superior attacking line. Expect the Scandinavians to dictate the tempo and comfortably take all three points.
