Iraq vs Norway Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets

Priya Nambiar, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 13/06/2026

Iraq vs Norway | World Cup 2026, Group I | Tuesday 16 June 2026 | Kickoff: 23:00 BST | Venue: Gillette Stadium, Boston (Foxborough), USA | TV: ITV / BBC / iPlayer

Group I standings at kickoff: France, Iraq, Norway and Senegal all yet to play.

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What’s At Stake

This is Matchday 1 of Group I, and both sides are chasing an opening three points that would put them firmly in control of their qualification path from a group that also contains France and Senegal. Norway arrive as the second-ranked side in the group on paper and effectively need a win here to retain any realistic ambition of topping the section. For Iraq, a first World Cup appearance since 1986, any positive result against a heavily fancied European side would be seismic.

Verdict

Norway’s qualifying dominance, a perfect eight-from-eight record, and a striker in Erling Haaland who outscores most squads by himself make them a near-certainty to win this fixture. Norway to win is available at 2/9, a price that reflects the gap in class rather than generosity from the market.

Iraq vs Norway Match Preview

Iraq’s return to the World Cup after a 40-year absence is one of the tournament’s great stories. Graham Arnold’s side scraped through the inter-confederation play-off in Monterrey, coming from behind to beat Bolivia 2-1, with Aymen Hussein scoring a late winner to book the final spot at this tournament. That journey involved a 12-hour road trip from Baghdad to Amman after airspace closures and a 17-hour flight to Mexico, yet Iraq delivered when it mattered.

Norway, meanwhile, arrive as a genuinely dangerous side. They won their entire UEFA qualifying group, including a 4-1 victory in Italy and an 11-1 demolition of Moldova, scoring 37 and conceding just five across eight matches. Ståle Solbakken’s side is built around Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, two of European football’s most recognisable names, and this is their first World Cup since France 1998.

Arnold has spoken openly about the dynamic: all the pressure sits with France, Norway and Senegal. Iraq, unburdened by expectation, will look to be compact, hard to break down, and dangerous on the counter. Whether that defensive discipline can hold against a Norway attack that has averaged over four goals per qualifying game is the central question of this fixture.

Team Form

Iraq’s last five results:

• Venezuela (N): Lost 0-2 (Friendly, June 2026)
• Spain (A): Drew 1-1 (Friendly, June 2026)
• Andorra (N): Won 1-0 (Friendly, May 2026)
• Bolivia (N): Won 2-1 (World Cup Qualification, March 2026)
• Jordan (A): Lost 0-1 (Arab Cup, December 2025)

Iraq’s recent form is a mixed picture. The draw against Spain is an encouraging benchmark, but the 2-0 defeat to Venezuela in their final pre-tournament friendly was a concern. Their strength lies in narrow margins and defensive organisation rather than free-scoring form, and they have kept it tight against stronger opposition when the defensive shape has held.

Norway’s last five results:

• Morocco (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly, June 2026)
• Sweden (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly, June 2026)
• Switzerland (H): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, March 2026)
• Netherlands (A): Lost 1-2 (Friendly, March 2026)
• Italy (A): Won 4-1 (World Cup Qualification, November 2025)

Norway’s friendlies show a side that does not always fire on all cylinders against organised opposition, drawing 0-0 with Switzerland and 1-1 with Morocco. However, their qualifying results against competitive sides, including back-to-back wins over Italy, confirm the level they can reach. Solbakken appears to use friendlies as tactical experiments rather than full-intensity run-outs.

Iraq vs Norway Head to Head

Iraq and Norway have no recorded meetings in their international history, making this a genuinely novel fixture. There is no head-to-head data to draw on from previous World Cups or friendlies. Both sides effectively face an unknown quantity in this specific matchup, though the broader gulf in squad quality and recent competitive form tells its own story.

Team News

Iraq’s squad is announced and available. Aymen Hussein, the talismanic striker who scored the decisive play-off goal against Bolivia, is the focal point of the attack and is expected to start. There are no confirmed absences from the squad list, though Hussein faced a lengthy detention at Chicago Airport on arrival in the United States, a disruption to preparations that Arnold’s backroom staff will have managed carefully. Veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan has been a reliable presence throughout the qualifying campaign and is expected to start.

Marko Farji, the 22-year-old Norwegian-born winger who moved to Venezia from Strømsgodset, adds a different attacking dimension and will be motivated by this particular fixture against the country of his birth. Amir Al-Ammari, the midfield anchor who converted the crucial penalty against the United Arab Emirates, brings composure and organisation in the centre of the pitch.

Norway have no reported injuries or suspensions. Erling Haaland and Ødegaard are fit and expected to start. Solbakken has a full squad to select from, with Alexander Sørloth providing cover and competition in attack and Sander Berge available to anchor the midfield.

Predicted Lineups

Iraq (4-3-3): Jalal Hassan; Rebin Sulaka, Frans Putros, Merchas Doski, Hussein Ali; Amir Al-Ammari, Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal; Marko Farji, Aymen Hussein (c), Ali Jasim

Norway (4-3-3): Ørjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Østigård, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen; Sander Berge, Kristian Thorstvedt, Martin Ødegaard (c); Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth

Predicted lineups based on available squad data. Starting XIs to be confirmed by team announcements.

Key Tactical Matchup

The central battle is between Iraq’s defensive block and Norway’s ability to create space for Haaland. Arnold’s side are likely to sit compact in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 shape, denying Norway time in midfield and limiting the service into their striker. Iraq’s midfield trio, with Al-Ammari as the anchor, will attempt to press selectively and disrupt Ødegaard’s rhythm as the link between Norway’s lines. However, Norway qualified with 37 goals in eight games, and Haaland’s movement and finishing means a single lapse in Iraq’s defensive concentration can be decisive. If Ødegaard is given time and space to play forward passes early, Iraq’s backline will face repeated problems.

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• Norway to Win @ 2/9: Norway’s qualifying record of eight wins from eight, with 37 goals and a goal difference of +32, makes them overwhelming favourites here. Iraq are a resilient, well-organised side, but they scored only 10 goals in nine qualifying matches. The gap in attacking firepower is stark, and Norway have shown they can dismantle organised defences at European level.
• Over 3.0 Goals @ 1/1: The totals line sits at 3.0 and the best price on over is available at evens. Norway’s attacking depth, Haaland’s output, and Iraq’s modest defensive record in the lead-up, conceding two to Venezuela and dropping points against Kuwait and Palestine in qualifying, makes a high-scoring game the more likely scenario. Iraq scored in their 1-1 draw with Spain, so both teams finding the net is plausible.
• Erling Haaland Anytime Scorer: With 55 international goals in 50 caps and the leading scorer in European qualifying, Haaland’s involvement in Norway’s goals is a near-constant. Iraq’s centre-backs have not faced a striker operating at this level, and Ødegaard’s creativity in supply makes Haaland the standout scorer pick regardless of how the game develops. Prices are available with leading operators.
• Norway to Win to Nil: Iraq’s attack relies heavily on Aymen Hussein and a small group of creators. Against a Norway defensive unit that conceded just five goals in eight qualifying matches, Iraq finding the net against an organised back four is far from certain. The value in Norway keeping a clean sheet is genuine at the prices available.

Odds Across Operators

The Iraq vs Norway betting odds below are sourced from the best available prices across the market.

Prices correct at time of writing and subject to change. Always check with your preferred operator for the latest Iraq vs Norway odds before placing.

How to Watch and How to Bet

How to Watch

Iraq vs Norway is broadcast live in the UK on ITV and BBC, with full streaming available via BBC iPlayer. Kickoff is at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 16 June 2026, from Gillette Stadium in Boston (Foxborough), USA. Coverage is free-to-air across both broadcasters.

How to Bet

To place a bet on this fixture, follow these steps using any regulated UK operator:

1. Log in to your account or register if you are a new customer.
2. Navigate to the Football section and select World Cup 2026.
3. Find Iraq vs Norway in the Group I fixtures.
4. Select your market, match result, total goals, or a bet builder combining multiple selections.
5. Check the Iraq vs Norway odds for your preferred outcome and confirm the best available price.
6. Enter your stake in the bet slip.
7. Review your selection and confirm the bet.
8. Track your bet live during the match via the operator’s in-play section or BBC iPlayer.

Responsible Gambling

Betting should always be approached as entertainment, not as a source of income. Set a budget before placing any bets and never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you feel your gambling habits are becoming a concern, support is available.

BeGambleAware offers free, confidential advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. GamCare provides a national helpline and online chat for those who need help managing their betting. Both services are free to use.

If you need to take a break, all licensed UK operators are required to offer self-exclusion tools and deposit limits. Use them if you need to. Gambling regulations exist to protect you.

Priya Nambiar, Senior Editor

Priya Nambiar is a UK-based esports writer with a deep passion for competitive gaming and the communities that surround it. Growing up in Leicester, she split her time between following Premier League football and grinding ranked queues, a combination that gave her an instinct for what makes competition tick at any level. She has been covering esports since the early days of mainstream streaming, and still believes the scene is only just getting started. Priya focuses on the human stories behind the tournaments, from grassroots players grinding their way up the ladder to the strategic minds shaping team rosters. She covers titles across the FPS, MOBA, and battle royale space, and is particularly interested in how traditional sports culture and esports continue to influence each other as the industry matures. Outside of work, Priya is a keen five-a-side player and an occasional amateur caster for local LAN events. She thinks the best esports content comes from people who genuinely care about the games they write about, and she tries to bring that authenticity to everything she publishes.

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