Iraq vs Norway – predictions and odds – 2026 World Cup (16/06/2026)

Norway’s long-awaited World Cup debut is here. The Norwegians kick off their campaign in North America against an Iraq side returning to the World Cup 40 years on from their debut at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Norway returns to a World Cup 28 years on (France ’98), with Haaland scoring 16 goals in qualifying — twice as many as any other European player — including a brace to sink Italy at San Siro. Today, the Manchester City striker is the standard-bearer for an entire nation that has been waiting almost three decades for this moment.

Haaland doesn’t feint, he doesn’t dribble short, he doesn’t dazzle with technical virtuosity. He sticks to the basics. Haaland does something even harder: he decides the match before the opposition even realises they’ve lost it. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was called up for USA ’94 and played two matches. 32 years later, it’s his turn. With the Ødegaards, Nusa, Sørloth, Bobb, Berg, Ryerson, Schjelderup and a hungry generation, Norway isn’t going to the World Cup just to make up the numbers. They’re going to make their mark. They’re seeking ‘Valhalla’. The northern chill has never felt so intense.

On paper, it’s an uneven contest, and a Norwegian victory in this match is almost a foregone conclusion given the wealth of attacking options at Stale Solbakken’s disposal. Similarly, it seems quite likely that Erling Haaland will find the net against the Mesopotamian side.

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Erling Haaland to score + Norway to win

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