Iraq and Norway will be hoping for 2026 World Cup glory when they meet on Tuesday evening at 11pm (UK time).
Both of these nations return to the competition after extended absences. Iraq last appeared in 1986, where they were dumped out in the group stages. Norway’s last appearance came in 1998. They reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Italy.
Norway are many pundits dark horses for the World Cup, much of that owing to the talents of Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
This will be the first meeting between these two nations, adding a nice later of intrigue to the encounter.
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Iraq vs Norway team news
Iraq team news
Graham Arnold delivered a remarkable achievement during Iraq’s World Cup preparations. He guided the Lions of Mesopotamia to their first World Cup in 40 years. Aymen Hussein scored the winner against Bolivia to seal qualification. Iraq’s starting XI looks well-organised and defensively disciplined ahead of their opener against Norway.
Jalal Hassan takes the first-choice goalkeeping spot, ahead of Fahad Talib and Ahmed Basil. Frans Putros starts at right-back, with Rebin Sulaka on the left. Zaid Tahseen and Hussein Ali will anchor the central defence. Amir Al-Ammari and Ibrahim Bayesh will start in the double pivot.
Aymen Hussein looks set to lead the line for the Lions of Mesopotamia. The captain enters the tournament as one of Iraq’s all-time top scorers. Ali Al-Hamadi provides a great option alongside him in what could be a bold 4-4-2. Ali Jasim takes his spot on the right wing. Young Marko Farji, who scored nine goals for Strømsgodset this season, will play on the left flank and carries the potential to be Iraq’s wildcard threat.
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Norway team news
Ståle Solbakken pulled off one of European football’s great qualifying campaigns during Norway’s World Cup preparations. His side won all eight games, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five. They did the double over Italy, condemning the four-time world champions to a third successive absence. Norway arrive at their first World Cup since 1998 with genuine belief they can go deep.
Orjan Nyland takes the first-choice goalkeeping spot, ahead of Egil Selvik and Sander Tangvik. Julian Ryerson starts at right-back, surging forward with energy and intensity. David Møller Wolfe takes the left-back role. Kristoffer Ajer and Torbjørn Heggem anchor the central defence, with the left-footed Heggem bringing balance alongside the commanding Ajer. Sander Berge sits in front of the back four as Norway’s midfield anchor. Martin Ødegaard captains the side from the heart of midfield. He lifted the Premier League title with Arsenal before linking up with the squad.
Erling Haaland leads the line for Norway and enters this tournament with 55 goals in just 49 international appearances. He became Norway’s all-time record scorer at the age of 24. Alexander Sørloth starts alongside him, offering physicality and aerial presence. Antonio Nusa provides the width on the left flank. The 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger carries the pace and directness to unlock any defence in the tournament. Oscar Bobb pushes hard for a starting berth on the right.
Iraq vs Norway predicted lineups
Iraq (4-4-2): Hassan; Putros, Tahseen, Ali, Sulaka; Jasim, Al-Ammari, Bayesh, Farji; Hussein, Al-Hamadi.
Norway (4-4-2): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Bobb, Odegaard, Berge, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland.
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