Norway’s dominant qualifying campaign has led them to the World Cup stage for the first time in the 21st century against Iraq at Gillette Stadium in the qualifying playoffs.
The ease with which they were booked in North America this summer means Norway are a popular choice among pundits and they will have the chance to put an early point against relatively tame opposition.
Iraq, on the other hand, was actually the last team to qualify for the World Cup. The Middle Eastern nation have not stepped onto football’s biggest stage since 1986, but their manager Graham Arnold guided Australia to the last 16 in Qatar three-and-a-half years ago.
However, the experienced manager will need to pull off a minor miracle if Iraq are to enjoy an extended stay at this summer’s tournament. They have been placed in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside France and Senegal, with a meeting with Les Bleus on the horizon.
Both teams need to shake off long absences, and Iraq risk falling to the formidable Scandis at the home of the New England Patriots.
Norway is blessed with riches in attack, boasting a strong squad with multiple goal-scoring threats.
While Norway needed eight matches and eight wins to make their first World Cup since 1998, Iraq endured 21 matches in qualifying. Graham Arnold’s side overcame Bolivia in the inter-confederation play-offs to confirm their place.
They lost all three games in 1986 – Iraq’s only World Cup appearance – and Arnold will see an improvement on that, considering their three group stage opponents, as a massive success.
Survival may be his main focus in North America, while his first opponent Norway, who face an AFC representative for the first time at the World Cup, are determined to prove they are the real deal ahead of much tougher tests.
Haaland’s Norway record: Norway’s talisman has secured yet another Premier League Golden Boot in 2025-26 and, as you’d expect, his goalscoring record for the national team is absurd. Haaland scored 55 times in 50 caps and was Europe’s top scorer in qualifying with 16 goals. Norway’s form: Ståle Solbakken’s side have lost just one game since the start of 2025 (2–1 against the Netherlands in March). A 3–1 win over Sweden and a 1–1 draw with Morocco in their pre-tournament warm-up matches highlight Norway’s pedigree. Iraq’s record against non-AFC teams: Iraq rarely gets the chance to face non-AFC teams, but this team has generally struggled on such occasions. Since 2022, the Lions of Mesopotamia have played matches against eight non-AFC teams, winning two and losing four.
Iraq lacks star power, but they have a promising young squad with a range of talents.
Graham Arnold started with a 4-3-3 after being named with Iraqi football on its knees a year ago and has since evolved his side into a stubborn unit that plays with two strikers.
A pair of dynamic young strikers are expected to start on Tuesday, Ali Al-Hamadi and Al Jasim. The former has five goals in 19 international caps and has spent his entire career in the English Football League (EFL). Jasim, meanwhile, is on Como’s books.
Aymen Hussein’s strike against Bolivia in March took Iraq to their first World Cup in 40 years and he is another option for Arnold this summer. 22-year-old Marko Farji is another name to watch.
Iraq’s predicted line-up against Norway features a 4-4-2 formation, with Hassan in goal and a sturdy defense in front of him.
Norway has a fairly stable starting line-up, adopting an asymmetric 4-3-3 that allows Alexander Sørloth to partner Erling Haaland in attack, with width on the right provided by defender Julian Ryerson.
Ryerson had a highly productive season with Borussia Dortmund, registering 15 assists in the Bundesliga. His crosses are a useful weapon for this Norway team, especially with mountains of two men up top.
RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa provides one-on-one magic on the left, and the midfield is made up of a tidy balance of profiles. Martin Ødegaard will captain his country in North America this summer, while Fulham’s Sander Berge will operate at the heart of the engine room.
Norway’s predicted line-up against Iraq features a 4-3-3 formation, with Nyland in goal and a solid defense in front of him.
The World Cup match between Iraq and Norway will be broadcast on various channels around the world, including FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo, and more.
Location: Foxborough, Mass. Stadium: Gillette Stadium Date: Tuesday, June 16 Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM BST Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (GAB)
Viewers in the United States can watch the match on FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, while those in Canada can tune in on TSN+ and more.
In Mexico, the match will be broadcast on ViX, while British viewers can watch it on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.
The predicted score for the match is Iraq 0-3 Norway, although this is subject to change as the teams take to the pitch.
Graham Arnold’s team has made significant progress in their qualifying campaign, but they face a tough test against Norway in the World Cup.
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MORE: Complete list of worldwide broadcasters for Iraq vs. Norway
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