Iraq vs Norway — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 1
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Group I's second opener pairs Iraq, back at the World Cup, against an Erling Haaland-led Norway making a long-awaited return to the global stage. Graham Arnold's Iraq are organised and combative; Stale Solbakken's Norway carry one of the planet's most lethal attacking duos in Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
The storyline is simple and seismic: Haaland on the World Cup stage at last. Norway will look to feed their striker, get Odegaard on the ball in pockets and use Antonio Nusa's pace. Iraq will defend deep, stay compact and try to deny space to the most dangerous No. 9 in the world.
Expect Iraq to frustrate and Norway to probe. If the Norwegians find the right service, their firepower should tell; if Iraq's block holds, this becomes a nervy examination of Norway's patience.
Key storylines
- 01Haaland's arrival: one of the world's best strikers on the World Cup stage at last.
- 02Norway's return after a long absence from the finals.
- 03Martin Odegaard supplies the craft behind Haaland's running.
- 04Iraq's compact, combative block under Graham Arnold.
- 05A test of Norway's patience against deep defending.
Prediction
Norway's firepower to break through. Friendly call: Iraq 0-2 Norway.
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Iraq
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1Jalal Hassan (GK)
- 2Merchas Doski
- 3Rebin Sulaka
- 4Akam Hashim
- 5Hussein Ali
- 6Amir Al Ammari
- 7Ibraheem Bayesh
- 8Zidane Iqbal
- 9Youssef Amyn
- 10Aymen Hussein
- 11Ali Al Hamadi
Norway
Formation 4-3-3- 1Orjan Nyland (GK)
- 2Julian Ryerson
- 3Kristoffer Ajer
- 4Leo Ostigard
- 5David Moller Wolfe
- 6Sander Berge
- 7Patrick Berg
- 8Martin Odegaard
- 9Antonio Nusa
- 10Erling Haaland
- 11Alexander Sorloth
Team news
Iraq
- Iraq will set up to be compact and difficult to break down.
- Aymen Hussein leads the line as a physical reference point.
- Young midfielder Zidane Iqbal brings technical quality.
Norway
- Erling Haaland is the headline goal threat for Norway.
- Martin Odegaard is the creative captain feeding the front line.
- Norway return to the World Cup after a long absence.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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