Iraq
Norway
Group I concludes its opening round of fixtures at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, where Iraq — making only their second ever World Cup appearance — face a Norway side built around one of the most feared strikers in the history of the game. The late kick-off is not without significance: both sides will already know France and Senegal's result before they take the field, adding an immediate strategic dimension to a match that could define the group's shape from the very first evening. For Iraq, every point is precious. For Norway, only one result is acceptable.
Iraq — Usood Al-Rafidayn
Australian coach Graham Arnold sets up in a 4-4-2, with captain Jalal Hassan — earning his 103rd cap at the age of 35 — in goal behind a back four of Doski, Hashem, H.Ali and Tahseen. The midfield four of Jassim, Sher, Ammari and Amyn is tasked with the near-impossible job of limiting Norway's attacking quality, with Ammari and Sher providing the defensive screen at the base. Up front, Aymen Hussein partners Ali Al-Hamadi — both mobile strikers who will rely on pace on the counter-attack rather than sustained possession to create their opportunities.
Iraq's story to reach this point is one of the more remarkable of the tournament. Arnold inherited a team on the brink of elimination from AFC qualifying after a shock defeat to Palestine in March 2025 — the result that cost Jesus Casas his job. Arnold steadied the ship, guided Iraq through rounds three, four and five of qualifying and then delivered a 2-1 playoff win over Bolivia to seal their place here. It is only Iraq's second ever World Cup appearance — their first was in 1986, where they lost all three group games and scored just once. The weight of that 40-year wait to return, and the journey through which this generation has earned it, gives this squad a fierce motivation that no team should underestimate.
The concern is form. Iraq have won just twice against teams outside their own confederation since November 2022, losing four and drawing two of those eight matches. Their pre-tournament friendlies brought a 1-0 win over Andorra, a creditable 1-1 draw with Spain — which will give Arnold's players heart — and a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela. The step up in class from AFC opposition to Haaland and Ødegaard is enormous. But Arnold is a canny coach who knows how to organise a defence, and Iraq will not be here simply to make up the numbers.
Norway — Landslaget
Ståle Solbakken lines up in a 4-3-3, with Nyland in goal behind a back four of Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer and Ryerson. The midfield three of Ødegaard, Berge and Aursnes is captained by the Arsenal midfielder — one of the most technically complete players at this tournament and the creative conductor around whom everything Norway do flows. Berge alongside him provides the physicality and range of passing from deeper positions, while Aursnes covers the ground and makes the runs that others are too disciplined to attempt.
Up front, the selection of Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth represents one of the most powerful front threes at this World Cup. Haaland needs no introduction — 44 goals in 52 international appearances, the most prolific striker on the planet and a player whose physicality, movement and finishing ability simply do not have a meaningful weakness. Nusa, still only 20, provides electric pace and directness on the left, while Sørloth offers a different kind of threat on the right — powerful, direct and capable of holding the ball with his back to goal when Norway need to relieve pressure.
Norway's qualifying campaign was flawless — 24 points from 24, 37 goals scored, just five conceded, finishing above Italy in their group. Their last World Cup appearance was in 1998, where they made the round of 16. Solbakken will be acutely aware that the group stage draw pitches them against France in the next fixture — making a win here not just desirable but essential to give Norway breathing room going into that enormous match.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Erling Haaland vs the Iraq centre-backs. Tahseen and H.Ali will face the most demanding 90 minutes of their international careers. Haaland is at his most devastating when he can run in behind a high defensive line — and Arnold will instruct Iraq to sit deep and compact to deny him that space. The question is what happens in the air from set-pieces and crosses, where Haaland's physical superiority is essentially impossible to negate. If Iraq can keep him goalless for the first half hour and stay in the game, the equation changes. If Haaland finds the net early, this could become a very long evening for Usood al-Rafidayn.
Prediction
Iraq's defensive resilience and Arnold's tactical nous may frustrate Norway early, but the gulf in class is too significant to sustain for ninety minutes. Haaland is the difference-maker in this fixture — he has scored against every type of opponent and there is no evidence Iraq's back line is equipped to contain him. Ødegaard will find the pockets between Iraq's lines and supply the ammunition, and once the first goal goes in, Norway should be comfortable.
Iraq's 1-1 draw with Spain in warm-up suggests they can compete at this level — but Norway are a different kind of opponent, and Haaland is a different kind of problem.
Iraq 0–3 Norway — Haaland, Haaland, Sørloth
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