Haaland's Norway Kicks Off World Cup Bid Against Resurgent Iraq
June 16, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
Published by Yayscore LTD. Match data from licensed providers.
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Norway, led by Erling Haaland, begins its World Cup 2026 campaign against an Iraq side making its first appearance in decades.
This Group Stage encounter is significant not just for the points at stake, but for setting the tone for both teams' World Cup journeys. Norway, after a 28-year absence, will be looking to solidify its position as a tournament contender, while Iraq, ending a 40-year wait, aims to prove it belongs on the global stage. A strong start is crucial for either side's hopes of progressing beyond the group stage in a competitive World Cup field.
Norway is expected to field a strong side featuring their talismanic striker, Erling Haaland, who leads what is being referred to as their 'golden generation'. Details on Iraq's starting lineup are less clear, but they will certainly rely on their key players to challenge the favored European outfit. Both teams will aim to put out their best squads as they commence their World Cup campaigns.
The match will be held at Gillette Stadium, Boston, with kickoff scheduled for Tuesday, 16 June, at 22:00 UTC.
Norway is strongly favored to win this match, with their model probability showing them winning directly at 77% (represented as 7700% in the provided data). This is largely due to the pedigree of their squad and the presence of stars like Erling Haaland. The model projects a 1-2 victory for Norway, suggesting that while they are expected to triumph, Iraq might still find a way to get on the scoreboard.