World Cup 2026 odds: Iraq vs. Norway betting picks
Group I kicks off in dramatic fashion on June 16 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as two nations ending lengthy World Cup absences meet in a matchup that serves as Erling Haaland’s long-awaited debut on soccer’s biggest stage.
Iraq, who punched their ticket with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in Mexico in early April, return for the first time since 1986. Norway are back on the World Cup stage for the first time in 28 years, powered by the most lethal striker in the game. With three points on the line, let’s get into my Iraq vs Norway predictions.
Check out our full list of live 2026 World Cup betting odds.
Iraq vs. Norway World Cup how to watch & match info
- Time: Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
- TV Channel: TSN
- Weather: 24.4°C – Pleasant with sunshine and some clouds
Iraq vs. Norway Match Betting Odds
The bookies price Norway at -475 to win, with the draw at +600 and Iraq out at +1300. The Over/Under is 3, with both sides carrying -110 odds. Iraq +2 has a -135 price, so oddsmakers are clearly expecting a Norway win.
Iraq vs. Norway predicted starting XI lineups
Norway Predicted Starting XI: 4-3-3
Nyland
Ryerson | Ajer | Heggem | Møller-Wolfe
Ødegaard | Berge | Aursnes
Sørloth | Haaland | Nusa
Iraq Predicted Starting XI: 4-4-2
Basil
Ali | Tahseen | Hashem | Doski
Youssef Amyn | Ismaeel | Al-Ammari | Ibrahim Bayesh
Hussein | Al-Hamadi
Iraq FIFA World Cup odds and news
Graham Arnold masterminded an excellent qualification campaign, as Iraq won 13 of their 21 fixtures. However, their lack of experience is a notable concern. Their most recent outing was a 1-1 draw against Spain on June 4, a creditable result that rounded off their pre-tournament preparations. Arnold will be looking to demonstrate that his structured squad can surprise the world on soccer’s biggest stage, relying on a disciplined collective identity and the talismanic threat of forward Aymen Hussein.
The Lions of Mesopotamia are expected to line up in a 4-4-2, with a midfield shield protecting the back four and Amir Al-Ammari operating in the number 10 role. Al-Ammari will be tasked with disrupting Norway’s attacking tempo, utilising his tactical discipline, high work rate, and clean interception metrics to shadow Ødegaard and clog up vital central passing lanes.
Norway FIFA World Cup odds and news
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken’s tactical system centres around unlocking the world-class firepower of Haaland and Martin Ødegaard to systematically dismantle opponents. At 25, Haaland arrives at his first major tournament as Norway’s all-time top scorer with 55 international goals, while Ødegaard comes in fresh from captaining Arsenal to their first Premier League title in over two decades.
Alexander Sørloth, the Atletico Madrid forward, led his club’s La Liga scoring charts with 13 goals this season, giving Norway a second genuine penalty-box threat alongside Haaland. Norway are expected to deploy a 4-3-3, with Ødegaard, Sander Berge, and Fredrik Aursnes forming the midfield trio. Sørloth, Haaland, and Antonio Nusa make up the front three.
Iraq vs. Norway player odds and props
- Erling Haaland anytime goalscorer (-225): Haaland scored 16 goals in World Cup qualifying, twice the tally of any other European player, and arrives at his first World Cup at the peak of his powers. It’s juicy, but you have to bet on the Man City man to score.
- Martin Ødegaard 1+ assists (+200): Ødegaard brings defence-splitting vision and technical composure in his advanced midfield role, and will be the primary creator as Norway look to unlock Iraq’s organized defensive block.
World Cup 2026 bracket and futures
France open as -215 favourites to win Group I, with Norway entering at +275, Senegal at +750, and Iraq the clear longshot at +8000. The genuine betting tension in Group I lives in the second-place race between Norway and Senegal, with their June 22 clash at MetLife Stadium effectively serving as the group’s second-place decider. However, the Norwegians will also have their eyes set on winning the group after going 8-0-0 in qualifying with a +32 goal differential.
Norway arrive at the 2026 World Cup with outright odds of around +3000, placing them ninth in the market across 48 nations. For Iraq, the stakes are simpler: the books have them at -450 to finish last in the group, meaning even a single point would exceed expectations for a nation returning to the World Cup stage for the first time in 40 years.
Iraq vs. Norway score prediction
Norway’s attacking firepower is simply in a different class. Haaland’s World Cup debut will be eagerly anticipated, and Iraq’s disciplined backline, however well-organized, is unlikely to contain both him, Nusa and Sørloth for 90 minutes. Expect Norway to win comfortably, though Iraq may nick a consolation late as Norway has allowed a goal in seven of their previous nine contests.
Best Bet: Norway money line and both teams to score (+200)
Final score prediction: Norway 3 | Iraq 1