Iraq vs Norway Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Bradley Gibbs | in World Cup Picks
Tuesday will be a special day for the Norwegians, who make their long overdue return to the World Cup. They’ll kick their tournament off with a game against Iraq at Gillette Stadium.
Iraq and the World Cup aren’t exactly two things that go together. In fact, this will be just the second time in history that the Iraqis have featured in the world’s biggest soccer tournament, with their last appearance coming all the way back in 1986.
The Norwegians have also been away for a while, not playing at the tournament since 1998, when they reached the Round of 16 for the second time having previously done so in 1938.
In the early betting, the best route appears to be ‘Norway to Win & Under 3.5 Goals’. The team from Scandinavia has more than enough quality to get all three points here, but they’re up against a disciplined Iraq team that will do little other than sit back and frustrate, so it may not be overly high-scoring.
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Iraq vs Norway Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 |
|
4
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 |
Iraq and Norway Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 4, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 29, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
Dec 12, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 9, 2025 - Arab Cup
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
Dec 3, 2025 - Arab Cup
Nov 18, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 11, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 4, 2025 - King's Cup
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 4, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 29, 2026 - International Friendlies
Dec 12, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 9, 2025 - Arab Cup
Dec 6, 2025 - Arab Cup
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 1, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 1, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 14, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 11, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2025 - World Cup
Mar 25, 2025 - World Cup
Mar 22, 2025 - World Cup
Iraq - Norway: Form Analysis
Having defeated Bolivia in a play-off to qualify back in April, the Iraqis have done little wrong in warming up for the tournament. Towards the end of May, they beat Andorra, before digging very deep indeed to hold European champions Spain to a 1-1 tie. They lost to the Venezuelans last time out, but they certainly weren’t battered.
In truth, they’ve shown enough in recent weeks to suggest that they can frustrate the Norwegians and keep the score respectable.
A 3-1 win over Sweden recently was more like it, but then last time out, they were a little subdued in tying with the Moroccans. Can they improve here?
In qualifying for this tournament, the Norwegians often exploded into life, scoring bags of goals, but since ensuring that they’d feature on football’s biggest stage, they’ve gone off the boil a little.
Back in March, they lost to the Netherlands, before tying 0– with Switzerland. A 3-1 win over Sweden recently was more like it, but then last time out, they were a little subdued in tying with the Moroccans. Can they improve here?
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Iraq against Norway Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 4 - 2
Formation : 4 - 3 - 3
Substitutes
F. Talib
A. Basil
DefenderA. Maknazi
M. Younus
M. Saadoon
F. Putros
R. Sulaka
MidfielderA. Sher
Z. Iqbal
K. Yakob
Y. Amyn
ForwardA. Yousif
M. Farji
A. Qasem
M. Ali
E. Selvik
S. Tangvik
DefenderL. Ostigard
H. Falchener
M. Holmgren Pedersen
S. Langas
F. Bjorkan
MidfielderP. Berg
J. Hauge
O. Bobb
K. Thorstvedt
M. Thorsby
T. Aasgaard
A. Schjelderup
J. Strand Larsen
Iraq & Norway Squad Analysis
Given how well they played against the Spanish, or rather how well they fought, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold should select a similar team to the one that took to the field in La Coruna a fortnight ago. One potential change could see Ahmed Qassam come into the starting XI.
The Nashville SC man knows all about playing in North America and that experience could prove to be valuable for the Iraqis. Ahmed Yahya is expected to miss out with an injury.
The Nashville SC man knows all about playing in North America and that experience could prove to be valuable for the Iraqis.
There are many ways that Ståle Solbakken could go with his starting XI, such is the depth at the disposal of the Norway boss. Erling Haaland is a guaranteed starter up top, while Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth are other key players expected to feature from the outset.
Having impressed against the Swedes recently, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa could complete Norway’s front three alongside Sorloth and Haaland.
Most goals and assists
Iraq
Norway
A. Hussein
(1 Goals)
E. Haaland
(7 Goals)
A. Alammari
(1 Assists)
M. Odegaard
(4 Assists)
Iraq - Norway Key Points
- Only one of Norway's four games in 2026 has contained more than three goals.
- Each of Iraq's three warm-up games contained a maximum of two goals.
- More than three goals have been scored in none of Iraq's last 17 games.
- Even against much better teams in defeat, the Iraq's haven't conceded more than two goals since 2024.
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Our Iraq vs Norway Prediction
After their performance in the qualifiers, Norway is looking to shine in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. In a group that also includes France and Senegal, the Løvene can’t afford to slip up against Iraq. Eager to fight for a spot in the Round of 16, the team coached by Stale Solbakken will have what it takes to secure its first three points. For their Part, Iraq generally doesn't concede too many goals and will absolutely look to get everyone behind the ball and frustrate.
Our Iraq vs Norway Pick: Norway to Win & Under 3.5 Goals.
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Iraq vs Norway match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
