Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group I
Iraqvs
Norway
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · 6:00 p.m. ET · Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough, MA
Watch: FOX · Telemundo
My pick: Norway win · locked 2026-06-15 11:45 UTCPrediction
Norway, and comfortably. The Haaland-and-Ødegaard generation reach a first World Cup since 1998 having won all eight qualifiers, scoring 37 and conceding five, and Erling Haaland flanked by Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa is a level of attack Iraq simply have not faced. Graham Arnold's side, at their first finals in 40 years via the intercontinental playoff, are organised and proud but light on top-end quality. Iraq may make it awkward for a while; Norway's firepower wins out, 3-1.
The case for Iraq
18% to winIraq's case is resilience and occasion: Graham Arnold dragged them through a brutal 21-match qualifying marathon to a first World Cup since 1986, beating Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff, and they drew 1-1 with Spain in a June warm-up. Captain-keeper Jalal Hassan behind centre-backs Zaid Tahseen and Rebin Sulaka, with Zidane Iqbal and Amir Al-Ammari screening, gives them a spine to sit in and frustrate; if Aymen Hussein and the runners around him can nick one on the break, a point would be a famous result.
The case for Norway
58% to winNorway are one of the stories of the tournament: a flawless qualifying campaign (eight wins from eight, 37 goals) in a group that included Italy, and an attack headlined by the world's most lethal striker. Erling Haaland leads, captain Martin Ødegaard pulls the strings, and Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes give the midfield legs; Sørloth and Nusa stretch defences either side. Ståle Solbakken's side last beat AFC opposition 6-0, and on this evidence they should have far too much for a debutant-level opponent.
Both cases written 2026-06-15, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 24% belongs to the draw.
Iraq 4-2-3-14-3-3 NorwayThe briefing
Storylines
- Norway reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998, having won all eight qualifiers — scoring 37 and conceding five — in a group that included Italy.
- Iraq are at the finals for the first time in 40 years (last in 1986), guided there by Australian coach Graham Arnold through the intercontinental playoff past Bolivia.
- Erling Haaland, arguably the world's best goalscorer, makes his World Cup debut alongside captain Martin Ødegaard; the pair anchor Norway's golden generation.
- The first-ever meeting between the nations, and a Group I catch-up game: France and Senegal play a day earlier, so the loser here falls behind early.
The coaches
Graham Arnold Iraq
Australian who took over in 2025 and steered Iraq through the playoffs; a pragmatic organiser who sets up to stay compact and counter.
Ståle Solbakken Norway
Long-serving Norway boss who finally has the squad to match the talent; a 4-3-3 built to supply Haaland.
Availability
| Jalal Hassan | Set to start and captain — the 35-year-old keeper in line for his 103rd cap | Sports Mole preview (Lewis Nolan) · 2026-06-14 |
| Squad | No major concerns reported; Arnold expected to field his strongest XI with Aymen Hussein leading the line | Sports Mole preview (Lewis Nolan) · 2026-06-14 |
| Erling Haaland | Fit and starting — leads the line, likely alongside Sørloth and Nusa | Sports Mole preview (Lewis Nolan) · 2026-06-14 |
| Squad | No injury concerns flagged; Ødegaard captains with Berge and Aursnes in midfield, Ajer and Heggem at centre-back | Sports Mole preview (Lewis Nolan) · 2026-06-14 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FOX in English (stream on Fox One, or watch free over the air with an antenna) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (CBS Sports / NBC News World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-15)
Weather: Open-air at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough for the early-evening kickoff — typically mild-to-warm in eastern Massachusetts in mid-June; a specific forecast lands on the next sweep. (Venue configuration (Gillette Stadium, open-air) / seasonal norms, as of 2026-06-15)
Venue: Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough, MA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.