Iraq v Norway prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group I

Norway make their first FIFA World Cup 2026 appearance in 28 years tonight, and they could hardly have drawn a more accommodating Group I opener. Iraq, back at the finals for the first time since 1986, stand between Ståle Solbakken's side and a winning start before France and Senegal come calling. Group I runs from 16 to 26 June, with the top two sides, and potentially the best third-placed team, advancing to the round of 32.

Norway arrive in Foxborough as tournament dark horses. They topped their UEFA qualifying group without dropping a single point across eight games, scoring 37 times and conceding just five. Erling Haaland led that charge with 16 qualifying goals and arrives at his first-ever World Cup as Norway's all-time top scorer with 55 international goals. Solbakken has confirmed he will step down after this tournament, so there is a poignant edge to a campaign he has been building towards for years.

Iraq's route here was far messier. Graham Arnold was appointed in May 2025 after the sacking of Jesús Casas following a defeat against Palestine, and he inherited a squad on the brink of elimination from the AFC qualifiers. The Australian guided them through the third, fourth and fifth rounds and then secured World Cup qualification with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in Monterrey in March, the final berth claimed at the entire tournament. Iraq last appeared in the 1986 finals in Mexico, where they lost all three group games. A pre-tournament 1-1 draw with Spain offered encouragement; a 2-0 loss to Venezuela in their final warm-up was less so.

Norway warmed up with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on 7 June, with Martin Odegaard, who missed Norway's March friendlies after a difficult injury-hit season, scoring the equaliser. That was his first goal since December, and the confidence with which he converted suggests he arrives in good shape. Haaland, Odegaard and Alexander Sørloth are all confirmed available. Iraq's most recent outing was that 2-0 defeat to Venezuela on 10 June, though Arnold insisted after the game that his squad's tactical discipline was sound and that the heavy pre-tournament schedule was partly to blame for the result.

Arnold set the tone for Iraq's approach at the draw. "For me, it's a group of excitement because a lot of the players have never played against a player of the calibre of Mbappe, Haaland or Mane, so being on the park with them is a privilege," he told reporters. "As long as you're not scared to play and you're excited to play, then let's shock the world."

Solbakken, meanwhile, arrives knowing this is the easier of Iraq's three group opponents on paper, though he has been careful not to underestimate Arnold's set-up. Norway lost a pre-tournament practice match arrangement when Scotland cancelled at late notice, Solbakken described the cancellation as "unprofessional", but a fully fit squad suggests the preparation disruption has been minimal.

Norway look set to line up in their preferred 4-3-3 with Haaland flanked by Nusa and Sørloth. Odegaard pulls the strings in the middle third alongside Berge and Aursnes. Iraq are likely to field a compact 4-4-2, with Arnold asking his players to defend deep and look for Aymen Hussein or Al-Hamadi in transition. Rotation is possible for Norway in areas of the pitch away from their first-choice attacking trio, though Solbakken is likely to field his strongest XI here to set down a marker before tougher tests arrive.

Iraq: Hassan; Putros, Doski, Tahseen, Sulaka; Al-Ammari, Bayesh, Iqbal, Sher; Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein

Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller Wolfe; Berge, Aursnes, Odegaard; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa

Iraq v Norway kicks off at 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. The match is broadcast live on BBC One in the UK, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer.