IraqvsNorway

Norway ran out comfortable winners over Iraq 4–1. Goalscorers — Iraq: A. Hussein 39'; Norway: E. Haaland 29', E. Haaland 43', L. Ostigard 76'.

Iraq met Norway in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. It is one of the six matches in Group I, where the four sides each play three games and the top two advance directly to the Round of 32. With the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also progressing, points here carry real weight from the opening whistle.

Norway go in ranked 31st in the FIFA World Ranking to Iraq's 57th — a gap of 26 places that gives Norway the edge on paper. It is an inter-confederation meeting — Iraq of AFC against Norway of UEFA — the kind of contrast in styles the World Cup exists to stage.

Iraq are a team whose footballing achievements are remarkable given the decades of conflict and instability the nation has endured. The Lions of Mesopotamia won the 2007 Asian Cup in one of the most extraordinary sporting stories ever told, uniting a war-torn nation through football.

Norway possess one of the most devastating strikers in world football in Erling Haaland, whose prolific goal-scoring at Manchester City makes them a genuine threat at any tournament. Despite Haaland's brilliance, Norway have struggled to qualify for major tournaments in recent years, with their last appearance at a World Cup coming in 1998.

Iraq: Iraq have appeared at one World Cup, in 1986 in Mexico, where they were eliminated in the group stage after losses to Paraguay, Belgium, and a draw with Mexico. Norway: Norway have appeared at three World Cups: 1938, 1994, and 1998.

The match is scheduled at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM (06:00 PM ET).