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Erling Haaland powers Norway to 4-1 victory over Iraq in World Cup debut

Erling Haaland put on a masterclass to guide Norway to a dominant 4-1 victory over Iraq, making a massive statement in their highly anticipated 2026 World Cup debut.

Erling Haaland #9 of Norway celebrates.
© Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesErling Haaland #9 of Norway celebrates.

Norway kicked off its 2026 World Cup campaign in style, defeating Iraq behind a spectacular two-goal performance from Erling Haaland in his tournament debut to secure a crucial opening victory. With the three points in hand, the Norwegians catapult themselves to the top of the Group I standings.

Iraq struggled to find their rhythm for most of the match, though they did carve out a historic silver lining when Aymen Hussein buried a header to score the country’s first-ever World Cup goal. With the opener in the books, both squads are already shifting their focus to the next matchday, where Norway will square off against Senegal, with Haaland in the lead, and Iraq faces a daunting test against France.

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Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in the 2026 World Cup Group I match and you lived every moment of this exciting game here, on Bolavip.

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90+7' - NORWAY SCORE AND THE MATCHUP ENDS (1-4)

After an intense matchup, Norway score a last goal with Thorstvedt and with it, they are the leaders in Group I of the 2026 World Cup.

90+3' - A heated matchup in the end (1-3)

After an intense matchup, Norway and Iraq are fighting for every ball.

90' - Additional time (1-3)

Six minutes of additional time.

87' - Norway are confident with this result (1-3)

Despite trying to score another goal, Norway are confident on the field and have slowed down.

85' - First yellow card in the game (1-3)

Iraq's Tahseen sees the yellow card after a foul.

82' Norway want their fourth goal (1-3)

Haaland was close to score a hat-trick against Iraq, but the goalkeeper saved.

79' - Iraq seem devastated (1-3)

After Norway's third goal, Iraq seemed devasted on the field.

76' - NORWAY SCORE! (1-3)

Ostigaard scores with a header in a corner kick.

75' - Substitutions in both teams (1-2)

Ali and Hassim are out, Sadoom and Qasem are in. Schjelderup, Thorstvedt, Ostigard and Bobb are in, Nusa, Aursnes, Wolfe and Sorloth are out.

72' - The match restart (1-2)

Both teams on the field again.

69' - Cooling break (1-2)

Time to hydrate.

67' - Norway are confident on the field (1-2)

With the score on their favor, Norway seem more confident and want to find a way to score, with Iraq defending outstandingly.

65' - Iraq can't find a space to score (1-2)

Despite their attempts to step on Norway's area, Iraq can't create a clear chance to score.

62' - Iraq can't find a space to score (1-2)

With players like Bayesh and Hassim, Iraq try to find a space to score in both sides of the field.

60' - Iraq's substitutions (1-2)

Ismaael, Al Hamadi are out, Iqbal, Farij are in.

57' - Iraq keep defending (1-2)

Norway's intensity is something that Iraq are trying to content, in order to have a chance to bounce back in the game.

55' - Nusa want to score his goal (1-2)

With multiple chances created, Nusa has been a menace for Iraq in the second half.

52' - Ball possession (1-2)

Iraq 42%, Norway 58%.

50' - Norway await for another chance (1-2)

With the score on their favor, Norway try to find a space, with Iraq trying hard to score.

47' - Iraq have another attitude (1-2)

In this second half, Iraq are trying to score the equalizer.

45' - Second half underway! (1-2)

Referee blows his whistle and the second half is underway!

First time stats

  • Ball Possession: Norway 62% | Iraq 38%
  • Total Shots: Norway 7 | Iraq 4
  • Shots on Target: Norway 4 | Iraq 2
  • Shots Off Target: Norway 2 | Iraq 1
  • Blocked Shots: Norway 1 | Iraq 1
  • Total Pass Attempts: Norway 278 | Iraq 162
  • Passes Completed: Norway 246 | Iraq 124
  • Passing Accuracy: Norway 88.5% | Iraq 76.5%
  • Corner Kicks: Norway 3 | Iraq 1
  • Offsides: Norway 1 | Iraq 2
  • Fouls Committed: Norway 4 | Iraq 6
  • Goalkeeper Saves: Norway 1 | Iraq 2
  • Yellow Cards: Norway 0 | Iraq 0
  • Red Cards: Norway 0 | Iraq 0

45+6' - Halftime (1-2)

After an intense first half, Norway and Iraq go to the locker room for the halftime.

45+2' - Iraq are confused right now (1-2)

With Norway pressing the exit of Iraq on their area, multiple fouls have happened.

45' - Additional time (1-2)

Five minutes of additional time.

43' - NORWAY SCORE! (1-2)

Another great pressing in Iraq's area, found Haaland to score another goal.

42' - Norway retain the ball (1-1)

By passing the ball from side to side, Norway are trying to score another goal.

40' - IRAQ SCORE (1-1)

A great steal in the middle of the field found Hussein to score with a header.

38' - Iraq are not comfortable (0-1)

After Norway's first goal, Iraq are not comfortable in the game, as they were in the first part of the matchup.

35' - Ryerson is a menace for Iraq (0-1)

By using Ryerson, Norway are trying hard to score their second goal, as Iraq can't find the ball to create chances.

33' - Ball possession (0-1)

Iraq 37%, Norway 63%.

31' - Norway want to score their second goal (0-1)

With Haaland and Sorloth, Norway create chances and now they have another corner.

28' - NORWAY SCORE! (0-1)

After a great play from their area, Norway find a space to score and Haaland scores.

27' - The match restart (0-0)

Both teams are back on the field.

24' - Cooling break (0-0)

Time to hydrate.

22' - Nusa creates a clear chance (0-0)

With a foul, Iraq just gave a free kick close to their area.

20' - First corner kick of the game (0-0)

With the first corner, there was a good play to find a space in Iraq's defense. However, the ball went wide with a header from Haaland.

17' - A complicated matchups for both teams (0-0)

Despite their intensity, both teams are not having the best performance so far.

15' - Ball possession (0-0)

Iraq 45%, Norway 55%.

13' - Iraq have created the best plays in the game (0-0)

With multiple passes nearing Norway's area, Iraq are having the best chances so far.

10' - Iraq play in Norway's area (0-0)

With the ball possession on their side, Iraq are trying hard to find a spot to score in the first half.

8' - Iraq press Norway (0-0)

With Al Hamadi and Hussein, Iraq press Norway's attempts to pass the ball all over the field, and they are controlling the ball possession so far.

6' - Ball possession (0-0)

Norway 38%, Irak 62&.

4' - Norway can't find the way to penetrate Iraq defense (0-0)

Iraq are having an outstanding performance so far with the ball on their feet, while Norway want to steal it and score.

2' - Iraq are trying to score the first goal of the game (0-0)

With a greater attitude, Iraq have established themselves as the team pressing to score the first goal of the game.

0' - First half underway! (0-0)

Pierre Ghislain Atcho blows his whistle and first half is underway!

Both teams are ready for the protocolary acts

After warming up and getting dressed, both teams are ready for the protocolary acts.

Potential scenarios for Norway against Iraq

Norway's Group I fate hinge entirely on the outcome of their clash against Iraq, which will dictate their potential advancement scenarios. With France already securing a victory over Senegal earlier in the day, the mathematical stakes are crystal clear for the Norwegian side as they take the pitch.

Iraq's players born overseas

Iraq are one of the nations that have players born overseas, with a total of nine players.

Iraq's ranking

Ahead of this crucial matchup, Iraq sit lower than Norway in the latest FIFA World Ranking. When looking at the highest ranking teams in Group I, Norway are not in the first two, as France and Senegal are ranked higher.

Uniforms and referees confirmed for Iraq and Norway

With both teams gearing up for their 2026 World Cup opener, they already know the uniforms and referees confirmed for this crucial game, that will be officiated by Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon).

Norway lineup

Norway's starting XI: Orjan Nyland; Kristoffer Ajer, David Moller Wolfe, Torbjorn Heggem; Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aurness; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa, Julian Ryerson.

Iraq lineup

Iraq's starting XI: Jalal Hassan; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski; Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Alammari, Zaid Ismael; Ali Alhamadi, Ali Jasim, Aymen Hussein.

City, stadium and weather for Iraq and Norway

Ahead of their highly anticipated Group I debut at the 2026 World Cup, both Iraq and Norway have officially arrived at the stadium in Foxborough, where the two nations are set to clash on the pitch.

H2H between Iraq and Norway

This game will be the first matchup between Iraq and Norway in an official matchup from FIFA. And of course, the first time facing each other in the World Cup.

Kickoff time and how to watch!

The match between Iraq and Norway is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT.

In the United States you can watch Iraq and Norway live on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock Premium.

Iraq vs Norway clash in their first 2026 World Cup game

Welcome to our live blog! This time, Iraq and Norway in their opening Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Santiago Tovar
Santiago Tovar
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