{"id":8485,"date":"2026-06-03T16:47:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T20:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=8485"},"modified":"2026-06-03T16:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T20:47:17","slug":"match-preview-iraq-vs-norway-06-16-26-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-iraq-vs-norway-06-16-26-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraq vs Norway: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iraq open their 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM ET \/ 5:00 PM CT \/ 3:00 PM PT, a Group I tie at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough that doubles as a homecoming for two long-absent nations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Iraq vs Norway prediction starts with the wait. Iraq are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1986, while Norway have ended a 28-year absence stretching back to 1998. Both arrive carrying a story, but only one carries Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n

This is the night Haaland finally gets his World Cup debut, and the bookmakers expect him to make it count. Norway tore through qualifying without dropping a single match, and the Lions of Mesopotamia land as clear underdogs against one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks.<\/p>\n

bet365 prices Norway at -450 to win, with the draw at +525 and Iraq out at +1100. That line reflects the gulf in attacking quality, though an opening game against an organized underdog always carries a little tension for the favorite.<\/p>\n

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

We lean firmly toward Norway, and the goal markets point to control rather than a shootout.<\/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>\nNorway won all eight qualifiers and scored 37 goals doing it, far more firepower than Iraq can match.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correct Score: 2-0 Norway<\/strong><\/td>\n+5000 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(2%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nA controlled win to nil fits a disciplined Iraq side that will sit deep and protect the box.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erling Haaland<\/strong> anytime scorer<\/td>\nCheck bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nHaaland scored 16 goals in qualifying, double the next-best mark in Europe, and leads the line on his World Cup debut.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Under 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n+130 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(43%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nAn opener with one clear favorite often turns cagey, and Iraq will park men behind the ball early.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>\n-175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(64%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nIraq managed just one goal across both intercontinental play-off legs, so a blank against Norway is live.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Our approach: Start with Norway to win, then add Haaland anytime and lean Under 2.5 with Both Teams to Score No for a tight, favorite-led script.<\/p>\n

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

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\n\t\t\t\tGet Offer<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

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Prediction Markets: Live Odds & Win Probability<\/h2>\n

There is no match-level market for Iraq vs Norway listed yet, but the futures pricing already tells the story. On the FIFA World Cup Group I Winner market, both Polymarket<\/a> and Kalshi<\/a> have France and Norway as the clear pair to advance, with Iraq priced as the group’s longest shot. That matches the sportsbook read closely, so the markets and the books agree on the pecking order.<\/p>\n

Kalshi is the platform US users can fund and trade today across all 50 states, while Polymarket is currently early-access only for US accounts ahead of its post-QCX rollout. We will reflect any later pricing here if Kalshi or Polymarket list this fixture as a match-level market closer to kick-off.<\/p>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t \n\t\t CODE: ACQUIRE05<\/span>\n\t\t
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\n Our Score<\/span>\n 8.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

Must be 18 years or older and have a legal, U.S. residential address within the applicable state, D.C., or U.S. territories. Not available in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV and OH. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2573). Chat available at\u00a0ncpgambling.org\/chat<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kalshi\"<\/a>\t\t\t\t
\n \n Kalshi<\/a> <\/span>\n \n Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

21+ only. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2573). Chat available at\u00a0ncpgambling.org\/chat<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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

Group I pairs Iraq and Norway with France and Senegal. The table below reflects the draw rather than any played fixtures, with all four teams level on zero before the opener. For the full bracket and group breakdown, see our World Cup 2026 hub<\/a>.<\/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