Iraq vs Norway World Cup 2026 preview

Iraq and Norway meet in Massachusetts on 16 June 2026, kick-off 22:00 GMT / 18:00 EST at the Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium). The fixture is crucial in a competitive Group I that also includes France and Senegal. Iraq arrive under Graham Arnold aiming to showcase a disciplined, hard-working unit centred on forward Aymen Hussein, while Ståle Solbakken’s Norway will look to unleash the firepower of Erling Haaland and the creativity of Martin Ødegaard.

The teams reached the World Cup by very different routes. Iraq endured a 21-match qualification marathon, swept their Second Round group, edged the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the AFC play-offs and then beat Bolivia 2-1 in the inter-confederation play-off after a late Amir Al-Ammari penalty, ending a 40-year absence.

Norway completed a flawless European campaign, winning all eight Group I matches, with Haaland scoring 16 goals — including a five-goal haul against Moldova — and Ødegaard supplying the creative spark.

United States, Massachusetts

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