- Here is the Iraq vs Norway prediction article for World Cup 2026 which breaks down form, key players and H2H meetings ahead of the clash.
- The match will be staged at the Boston Stadium on Wednesday June 17.
- Kickoff is at 1:00am EAT.
Norway and their red-hot striker Erling Haaland will be looking to kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a positive note when they face Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday at the Boston Stadium.
The two nations have been placed in a very competitive Group I, where they will also face former champions France and later have a date with African giants Senegal -after those two powerhouses open their tournament earlier on Tuesday night.
It could hardly get any bigger for Iraq, who are returning to football’s grandest stage for the first time since 1986.
After a 40-year absence, they will be eager to make their mark with a strong performance on Wednesday.
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The Lions of Mesopotamia were the final team to secure a place in the tournament, playing 21 qualifying matches to reach the finals -more than any other nation.
They booked their ticket through the inter-confederation play-offs, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in Mexico.
Their recent warm-up matches have showcased defensive discipline but a lack of attacking firepower, highlighted by a 1-1 draw with Spain and a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela.
While Iraq spent four decades away from the global stage, their opponents endured a 26-year wait of their own, with Norway’s last World Cup appearance coming back in 1998.
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The Europeans enjoyed a remarkable qualifying campaign, winning all eight of their matches.
They boast a fully fit squad featuring the formidable attacking trio of Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Sorloth.
Head coach Stale Solbakken’s side were ruthless throughout qualifying, scoring 37 goals while conceding just five.
Landslaget have experienced mixed fortunes in the four friendlies played since the end of the qualifiers, suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands, drawing against Morocco and Switzerland, but securing a 3-1 victory over Sweden.
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What time does the Iraq vs Norway match kick off?
The two sides will meet on Wednesday, June 17, at Boston Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 1am East Africa Time.
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Iraq vs Norway team news
The Iraqi national team heads into the opening match with a fully fit squad and no fresh injury concerns.
Star striker Aymen Hussein is expected to lead the line alongside dynamic winger Ali Jasim. At the back, Zaid Tahseen is set to marshal the defence, while Zidane Iqbal will orchestrate proceedings from midfield.
Meanwhile, Norway manager Solbakken also has the luxury of a fully fit squad with no major fitness concerns.
Superstars Haaland and Odegaard arrive at the tournament in peak condition to lead the attack and midfield respectively.
Defender Erling Heggem and versatile forward Sorloth are also available and expected to feature in the starting lineup.
Iraq vs Norway Predicted lineups
- Iraq: Hassan; Ali, Tahseen, Sulaka, Doski; Al-Ammari, Iqbal; Bayesh, Jasim, Al-Hamadi; Hussein
- Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa
Iraq vs Norway head-to-head record and current form
This will be the first-ever meeting between Iraq and Norway. It will also mark Norway’s first FIFA World Cup match against a team from the AFC confederation.
- Iraq form (all competitions): L L W W D L
- Norway form (all competitions): W W L D W D
Iraq vs Norway prediction and betting tips
The last time Norway faced an AFC opponent was in September 2023 against Jordan, and they cruised to a convincing 6-0 victory.
Iraq have played just eight matches against teams from outside their confederation since November 2022, managing only two wins while suffering four defeats.
Norway head into this encounter as clear favourites to claim the win, thanks to their superior squad depth and attacking quality.
However, Iraq should not be underestimated, as they possess enough talent to spring a surprise.
We expect an entertaining contest with goals at both ends if the forwards can capitalize on the opportunities they create.
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