Iraq vs Norway World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Norway look to edge out tough Iraq side
Norway, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, face Iraq, making their return after 38 years. Norway, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, are heavy favorites, thanks to a high-scoring qualifying run. Iraq, resilient under coach Graham Arnold, pose a strong defensive test. Prediction leans toward a Norway win, likely with a clean sheet, but with Under 2.5 goals due to Iraq’s compact style and Norway’s potential nerves. Fans can stream the match live via bet365 for in-depth coverage.
- Iraq vs Norway predictions for Tuesday's World Cup Group I game
- Aussie coach Graham Arnold leads Iraq to their first World Cup game since 1986
- Norway led by star striker Haaland - but Iraq's defence is underrated, Under 2.5 goals backed
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 8.00am AEST on Wednesday June 17
Iraq v Norway Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Iraq vs Norway World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
An intriguing Group I showdown awaits at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday as Iraq and Norway square off.
Genuine dark horses for a deep run at this World Cup, Norway go into this clash as heavy favourites and deservedly so - they have arguably the most potent striker on the planet in Erling Haaland and Arsenal Premier League champion Martin Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield. Norway were one of just two European nations to win all of their qualifying games and they were banging in goals for fun, scoring 37 in total.
Meanwhile, to say Iraq took the scenic route to their first World Cup since 1986 would be an understatement. The Lions of Mesopotamia were the 48th and final team to qualify, playing a whopping 21 games and edging out Bolivia in the playoffs to secure their ticket. With Aussie coach Graham Arnold at the wheel, Iraq are extremely tough to break down and will determined to make an impact on the world stage.
The obvious bet here is Norway to win with a truckload of goals. However, we've already seen a few surprises at the World Cup and Asian teams are punching above their weight. Norway are also under huge pressure and have immense expectation in their own first World Cup since 1998. I think Norway get the job done and probably keep a clean sheet in the process, but Under 2.5 goals looks decent value when you consider Iraq's strong defence and Norway's possible nerves.
Odegaard registered a whopping seven assists in qualifying and looks a good play at even money to either score or assist here.
Iraq vs Norway Stats & Trends
- Iraq have seen Under 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 13 games
- Norway have seen Under 2.5 goals in two of their last three games
- Iraq have failed to score in their last four defeats
- Iraq have conceded exactly two goals in four of their last five defeats
- Martin Odegaard had one goal and seven assists in five World Cup qualifying games
Iraq vs Norway Head To Head
This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Iraq Form Analysis
This will be Iraq's first World Cup appearance since 1986, where they failed to win a game, losing all three by one-goal margins.
Graham Arnold's side endured a torrid qualifying campaign, surviving 21 games and edging out Bolivia 2-1 in the playoffs to secure their spot at this World Cup.
Iraq impressed in a 1-1 draw with tournament favourites Spain ahead of the tournament, but suffered a 2-0 defeat last time out to Venezuela.
Iraq Team News
Veteran striker Aymen Hussein has a record 33 goals for his country and will be the main man up front.
Jalal Hassan should start in goals for what would be his 103d international cap. Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jasim and Ali Al-Hamadi should support Hussein in attack.
Midfielder Aimar Sher plays his club football in Norway for Sarpsborg.
Iraq Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Fahad Talib | 31 | 21 | 0 | Al-Talaba |
| GK | Jalal Hassan (c) | 35 | 102 | 0 | Al-Zawraa |
| GK | Ahmed Basil | 29 | 16 | 0 | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Rebin Sulaka | 34 | 56 | 1 | Port |
| DF | Hussein Ali | 24 | 27 | 1 | Pogoń Szczecin |
| DF | Zaid Tahseen | 25 | 28 | 1 | Pakhtakor |
| DF | Akam Hashim | 27 | 14 | 1 | Al-Zawraa |
| DF | Manaf Younis | 29 | 34 | 1 | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Ahmed Maknzi | 24 | 7 | 0 | Al-Karma |
| DF | Merchas Doski | 26 | 31 | 1 | Viktoria Plzeň |
| DF | Mustafa Saadoon | 25 | 17 | 0 | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Frans Putros | 32 | 28 | 0 | Persib |
| MF | Youssef Amyn | 22 | 27 | 2 | AEK Larnaca |
| MF | Ibrahim Bayesh | 26 | 76 | 8 | Al-Dhafra |
| MF | Ahmed Qasem | 22 | 3 | 0 | Nashville SC |
| MF | Zidane Iqbal | 23 | 25 | 2 | Utrecht |
| MF | Amir Al-Ammari | 28 | 51 | 3 | Cracovia |
| MF | Ali Jasim | 22 | 36 | 2 | Al-Najma |
| MF | Kevin Yakob | 25 | 9 | 0 | AGF |
| MF | Aimar Sher | 23 | 7 | 0 | Sarpsborg |
| MF | Marko Farji | 22 | 12 | 0 | Venezia |
| MF | Zaid Ismail | 24 | 6 | 0 | Al-Talaba |
| FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | 24 | 20 | 5 | Ipswich Town |
| FW | Mohanad Ali | 25 | 72 | 27 | Dibba |
| FW | Ali Yousif | 30 | 7 | 1 | Al-Talaba |
| FW | Aymen Hussein | 30 | 95 | 33 | Al-Karma |
Norway Form Analysis
It's a first World Cup appearance for Norway since 1998 and they are widely expected to feature relatively deep into the knockout phase with their strong squad of players.
Norway are unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 games in all competitions and picked up a maximum 24 goals during UEFA qualifying, scoring 37 goals in the process.
Stale Solbakken's side have lost a bit of momentum in the lead-up to the tournament, winning just one of their last four games, suffering a defeat to Netherlands, drawing with Morocco and Switzerland and defeating Scandinavian rivals Sweden 3-1.
Norway Team News
Erling Haaland is of course the star man in this side, scoring an astonishing 55 goals in just 50 appearances since making his debut for Norway in 2019.
He's not the only attacking threat however, with Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorlath and Leipzig's Antonio Nusa also a chance to start.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard will captain the side, flanked in midfield by the likes of Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes.
Norway Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Ørjan Nyland | 35 | 71 | 0 | Sevilla |
| GK | Sander Tangvik | 23 | 0 | 0 | Hamburger SV |
| GK | Egil Selvik | 28 | 7 | 0 | Watford |
| DF | Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer | 28 | 52 | 2 | Brentford |
| DF | Leo Østigård | 26 | 38 | 1 | Genoa |
| DF | David Møller Wolfe | 24 | 22 | 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| DF | Fredrik André Bjørkan | 27 | 21 | 1 | Bodø/Glimt |
| DF | Marcus Holmgren Pedersen | 25 | 32 | 0 | Torino |
| DF | Torbjørn Heggem | 27 | 15 | 0 | Bologna |
| DF | Sondre Langås | 25 | 3 | 0 | Derby County |
| DF | Henrik Falchener | 23 | 1 | 0 | Viking |
| DF | Julian Ryerson | 28 | 43 | 1 | Borussia Dortmund |
| MF | Morten Thorsby | 30 | 31 | 0 | Cremonese |
| MF | Patrick Berg | 28 | 43 | 0 | Bodø/Glimt |
| MF | Sander Berge | 28 | 66 | 1 | Fulham |
| MF | Martin Ødegaard (c) | 27 | 68 | 5 | Arsenal |
| MF | Fredrik Aursnes | 30 | 22 | 1 | Benfica |
| MF | Kristian Thorstvedt | 27 | 37 | 4 | Sassuolo |
| MF | Thelo Aasgaard | 24 | 8 | 5 | Rangers |
| MF | Antonio Nusa | 21 | 24 | 8 | RB Leipzig |
| MF | Andreas Schjelderup | 22 | 12 | 1 | Benfica |
| MF | Oscar Bobb | 22 | 20 | 2 | Fulham |
| MF | Jens Petter Hauge | 26 | 15 | 1 | Bodø/Glimt |
| FW | Alexander Sørloth | 30 | 72 | 26 | Atlético Madrid |
| FW | Erling Haaland (vc) | 25 | 50 | 55 | Manchester City |
| FW | Jørgen Strand Larsen | 26 | 28 | 6 | Crystal Palace |
Iraq vs Norway Live Stream
Watch and bet on Iraq vs Norway live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Verdict
Norway should win, but Iraq can make them work for it in a game that sees Under 2.5 goals.
Norway
Win To Nil
$1.77 - 3 Units
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Norway 2-0
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