Iraq vs Norway predictions and betting tips – Erling Haaland makes World Cup bow

Neither Iraq nor Norway are World Cup debutants, but this will be both teams’ first appearance of the 21st century. Given they have been handed a tough draw in Group I, a win on matchday one would be invaluable.

Norway start as favourites after qualifying in style, but Iraq will embrace the role of underdogs. Which way will this one go?

• Norway to win and over 2.5 goals – 4/6 with Spreadex
• Norway to score in both halves – 5/6 with Betway
• Alexander Sorloth to score any time – 6/5 with BetVictor

Iraq vs Norway head to head overview

• Date: Tuesday 16th June.
• Kick-off: 11pm.
• Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, USA.
• Where to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
• Referee: Pierre Atcho.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: Never played before.
• Favourite to win: Norway.

Iraq vs Norway predicted lineups

• Iraq expected lineup: Hassan; Putros, Tahseen, Ali, Sulaka; Jasim, Al-Ammari, Bayesh, Farji; Hussein, Al-Hamadi.
• Norway expected lineup: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Bobb, Odegaard, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland.

Iraq vs Norway predictions

This World Cup has been a long time coming for Iraq and Norway.

There are four debutants at this summer’s tournament, but neither of these two teams are among them. However, both sides are set to make their first appearances of the 21st century.

You have to go back to 1998 to find the last time Norway featured on football’s biggest stage. They famously beat Brazil at that World Cup, before suffering a 1-0 defeat by Italy in the round of 16.

As for Iraq, they have not participated in a World Cup match since 1986, which means you would have to be in your mid-40s to remember seeing them compete at this level.

Iraq’s route to North America was longer than any of the other 47 sides involved at this competition, encompassing no fewer than 21 qualifiers.

After the usual process in Asia, Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates in a continental play-off, before overcoming Bolivia in an interconfederation play-off to book their spot in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The group stage draw was not kind to them, however. As well as Norway, Iraq will face France and Senegal in Group I. On the plus side, the pressure is off Graham Arnold’s side.

There is more expectation on Norway’s shoulders after they breezed through qualifying, winning all eight matches – including home and away games against Italy.

Held up by many as potential dark horses this summer, it is vital that Stale Solbakken’s side do not look too far ahead. This feels like a must-win game for Norway, so it would be a huge mistake for them to take their eye off the ball.

All eyes are on Erling Haaland, who will make his World Cup debut on Tuesday. But Norway also have Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa in an eye-catching attack.

Iraq vs Norway betting tips

Iraq and Norway will go head-to-head in Massachusetts as both teams target a winning start to World Cup 2026.

Norway to start with bang

Norwegian fans would have been delighted with eight 1-0 wins in qualifying. Instead, Solbakken’s men blew most of their opponents away.

Norway finished their group with an astounding goal difference of +32, scoring 37 goals along the way. That is an average of 4.63 per game.

Even with Haaland leading the line, Norway will not repeat that sort of return in North America. Yet for better or worse, this is a top-heavy team that makes no attempt to rein in its frontline.

Norway’s firepower should be too much for Iraq. In terms of goals, three feels like the minimum.

Back Norway to win and over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Spreadex

Norway attack to dazzle

Iraq’s togetherness and team spirit will come in handy in Group I, where they will be the underdogs in every fixture they contest.

Their best hope of pulling off an upset win, whether here or against France or Senegal, is by sitting deep, riding their luck and breaking forward at speed in transition.

The problem is, Iraq are prone to defensive lapses. That is not an ideal attribute for a team that will spend much of the group stage without the ball and inside their own half.

With Haaland, Sorloth, Nusa and Odegaard linking up, Norway should find the net either side of the interval.

Tip Norway to score in both halves at 5/6 with Betway

Look beyond Haaland

The odds on Haaland scoring against Iraq are unsurprisingly short, offering little value to sports bettors.

Sorloth is a smart alternative. He plays second fiddle to Haaland for the national team, sometimes starting on the right of a front three.

But because Norway will dominate possession on Tuesday, Sorloth will be able to take up central positions for much of the match. In fact, Solbakken may opt to pair him up front with Haaland from the get-go.

The Atletico Madrid man scored five goals in nine appearances for Norway in 2025, and he is priced at better than evens to get his name on the scoresheet in Foxborough.

Go for Alexander Sorloth to score any time at 6/5 with BetVictor

Iraq vs Norway latest odds

Find the latest Iraq vs Norway betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

We have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Iraq and Norway for betting

This will be Iraq’s fourth game at the World Cup, and they are still searching for their first win.

Norway have lost only one of their last 16 matches. Norway striker Erling Haaland scored 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifiers.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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