{"id":1487,"date":"2026-06-12T13:17:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/?post_type=news&p=1487"},"modified":"2026-06-12T16:03:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:03:42","slug":"match-preview-iraq-vs-norway-06-16-26-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-iraq-vs-norway-06-16-26-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraq vs Norway: Prediction, Picks & Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Norway end a 28-year World Cup absence at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM ET \/ 5:00 PM CT \/ 4:00 PM MT \/ 3:00 PM PT, with Iraq the Group I opponent waiting for them in Foxborough.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two long-lost names walk back into the tournament on the same night. Iraq haven’t been at a World Cup since 1986. Norway haven’t been at one since 1998. The shared backstory is the warm part of the evening; everything that follows it tilts hard one way.<\/p>\n

Erling Haaland finally has his World Cup stage. Norway swept their UEFA qualifying group, and Iraq, the 48th and last team through the door, line up as deep underdogs against a frontline that buried Italy 4-1 on the road to North America.<\/p>\n

bet365 has the Norwegians at -450 on the moneyline, the draw at +525 and Iraq priced out at +1100. The number tells the story honestly. There’s still the small matter of an opener’s nerves and a Lions of Mesopotamia side built to absorb pressure, which keeps the goal markets a little more interesting than the result one.<\/p>\n\n\n

Iraq vs Norway: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n

The shortlist below leans on Norway’s control of the game rather than a goal-fest. Iraq’s plan should be to sit deep, soak it up and pick their moment, and the totals price that picture.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>\nOdds & Sportsbook<\/th>\nConfidence<\/th>\nWhy We’re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Norway to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n-450 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(82%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nEight wins from eight in qualifying and 37 goals scored along the way; Iraq’s level simply does not match this attacking ceiling.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correct Score: 2-0 Norway<\/strong><\/td>\n+5000 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(2%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nA measured two-goal margin and a clean sheet fits an Iraq camp that will pack the area and try to ride out the wave.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erling Haaland<\/strong> anytime scorer<\/td>\nCheck bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n16 qualifying goals, double anyone else in Europe; the Manchester City man walks out as Norway’s clear-cut first option in front of goal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Under 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n+130 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(43%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nWorld Cup openers with a clear favourite tend to settle into a slow rhythm, and Iraq’s first job is to keep the scoreboard quiet.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>\n-175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(64%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nOne goal across two intercontinental play-off legs against Bolivia tells you Iraq’s edge is at the back, not in front of it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Stacking it up: Norway’s moneyline is the anchor, Haaland anytime is the natural add, and the totals pair gives a route into the cagey, favourite-led script we expect.<\/p>\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please play responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

Group I \u2014 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/h2>\n

France and Senegal complete the group, which means second place is the realistic prize. The standings below show the seeding order; nothing has been played yet.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Team<\/th>\nPos<\/th>\nGP<\/th>\nW<\/th>\nD<\/th>\nL<\/th>\nGF<\/th>\nGA<\/th>\nGD<\/th>\nPts<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
France<\/strong><\/td>\n1<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Senegal<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Norway<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iraq<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n