Iraq vs Norway
Group I action kicks off at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday where World Cup 2026: Iraq vs Norway takes centre stage in a star-studded encounter.
Ståle Solbakken’s Norway have some big name players in their ranks and in their first appearance at the Finals since 1998 they will be keen to leave an impression, and the Iraq vs Norway betting odds say they will start their campaign with a win.
Managed by former Australia international and head coach Graham Arnold, Iraq have fewer famous names, but they are at the finals on merit and are ranked 57th by FIFA, 26 places below Norway in 31st.
With France and Senegal making up Group I, both higher ranked, this is a competitive foursome and Norway really need to get off the mark with a victory.
Talking Points
Haaland is finally on the Biggest Stage
Ever since he announced himself as a goal machine at Molde in his homeland of Norway, Erling Haaland has emerged as the most prolific number nine in world football, scoring 82 goals in 67 league games at Red Bull Leipzig, and 112 and 132 at Manchester City. With the Sky Blues he has won it all on the domestic stage as well as a Champions League medal; but Norway has failed to qualify for a major tournament with Haaland in the team…until now.
At the age of 25, the 6ft 5in hitman has plundered 55 goals in 50 internationals and he is a good bet for the World Cup Golden Boot if the Norwegians can go deep into the competition. And why not? Haaland is not the only household name in Solbakken’s squad. Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth is another powerful striker, with 26 goals in 72 internationals and at the same height as Haaland he will be a real handful in the penalty area, particularly at set pieces. The team is captained by the excellent Martin Odegaard who recovered from injury in time to help Arsenal to a first Premier League title in 22 years, and to lead his nation to the World Cup. While alongside Odegaard, Red Bull Leipzig’s 21 year old star Antonio Nusa is an exciting prospect. A pacey winger he has excellent ball control at speed and likes to cut in from the left to take a pot at goal; Nusa has scored 18 goals in 24 matches for Norway and will be pushing for a start against Iraq, as will another young creative player, Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, whose club team-mate Sander Berge is an authoritative figure in the centre of the park.
With Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson at wingback this is a team with an attacking philosophy and the best goalscorer on the planet; thank goodness they made it this time!
Hussein is Iraq’s battering ram
The strike pair of Mohanad Ali and Aymen Hussein have scored 60 international goals between them, and they will be pushed for a start by Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi who has bagged five in 20 appearances. Hussein is the player the Lions will look for as a strong, powerful striker with an appetite for a physical battle, scoring 33 in 95 internationals. Now 30 years of age he is homing in on a century but Hussein has played a lower level than the Norway strikers, even plying his trade in the second tier of football in Kurdistan. He scored the crucial goal in Iraq’s qualification play-off final against Bolivia and is the nation’s fifth top scorer of all time, and Hussein deserves to get his moment in the sun.
Other players to look out for are 22-year-old winger Youssef Amyn, who plays for AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot League, 23-year-old midfield ace Zidane Iqbal who is impressing at Utrecht in the Eredivisie and Germany born left back Merchas Doski who plays for Viktoria Plzen can also make his mark.
History
This is the first meeting between Norway and Iraq and little wonder, as neither of the two nations have been regulars on the world stage.
This is Iraq’s first appearance at the World Cup finals since they made their debut back in 1986, while Norway are at the World Cup finals for the fourth time, reaching the Round of 16 in 1938 and 1998.
Iraq have won two, lost one and drawn one, 1-1 against Spain, this year before losing 2-0 to Venezuela on their last outing, while Norway have won one, drawn two and lost three, but are three unbeaten, drawing with Morocco last week, to follow up a win over Sweden and a draw with Switzerland.
Betting Tip
I expect the Iraq vs Norway highlights to be a brutal examination of Iraq’s defensive capabilities and I struggle to see how the underdogs can withstand a Viking onslaught. And the odds back me up with
Norway at a SBOTOP price of 1.20 to win, Iraq at 13.00 and the draw is 6.60.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
