World Cup 2026: Iraq vs Norway Tips, Prediction & Odds

* Prices from Betway, accurate when this was written.

Iraq start their 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, kicking off at 00:00 CAT on Wednesday, June 17. Graham Arnold's side are new to the tournament and will try to sit deep and frustrate Norway, who have one of the most in-form attacks in world football. That will be a tough job; Norway come in after a perfect qualifying campaign and bring the firepower of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard to their first World Cup since 1998. You can find every World Cup betting tips we have in our dedicated section.

Iraq

This is Iraq's first World Cup ever, and in my view Graham Arnold will tell his hard-working team to defend with plenty of bodies and keep the damage down. Skipper and keeper Jalal Hassan will have plenty to do, while striker Aymen Hussein, the second highest scorer in the country's history, is their biggest danger on the counter. The Lions of Mesopotamia depend on a well drilled team rather than star names, and keeping their shape will come first. I think Iraq will defend deep and try to keep the score respectable.

Expected Lineup: Hassan; H. Ali, Tahseen, Hashim, Doski; Amyn, Al-Ammari, Sher, Bayesh; Al-Hamadi, Hussein.

Norway

Norway are clear favourites, and I believe Stale Solbakken's team have enough quality to win this one easily. They won all eight qualifiers and netted thirty seven goals in them, booking their spot with a win in Italy in which Haaland scored twice. Haaland arrives at his first World Cup in the best form of his career after sixteen goals in qualifying, with Odegaard running the show and Alexander Sorloth adding another threat in the air. I think Norway will take charge early and turn that control into goals.

Expected Lineup: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Moller-Wolfe; Berge, Thorstvedt, Odegaard; Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth.

Norway have way too much firepower for an Iraq team playing on this stage for the first time, and I expect Haaland to get on the scoresheet. Iraq will defend with lots of bodies, but the difference in quality is huge. My forecast: Iraq 0 Norway 3.

BTTS: No (1.57)

I am going with BTTS: No because I think Iraq will defend deep and seldom trouble a Norway team that let in very little in qualifying. The newcomers will be focused on holding firm rather than chasing goals up front. At 1.57 this bet has value, with Iraq the side most likely to draw a blank.