Iraq vs Norway - prediction, team news, lineups | World Cup 2026

Iraq and Norway volition statesman their 2026 World Cup campaigns connected Tuesday night, erstwhile they clash astatine Boston Stadium.

No broadside from Group I has played a crippled yet, but Tuesday's contestants volition beryllium playing catchup owed to the information France and Senegal look each different a time earlier, truthful falling down aboriginal successful the radical signifier could beryllium problematic.

Match preview

Iraq were not ever definite that they would advancement to the tournament, with the country's governing bodies alarmed capable to sack brag Jesus Casas pursuing a decision against Palestine successful March 2025.

Australian Graham Arnold was appointed successful his stead 2 months later, and helium inherited a squad that were astatine hazard of elimination from the AFC qualifiers, though helium managed to usher the squad done the third, 4th and 5th rounds and into the inter-confederation playoffs.

A 2-1 triumph implicit Bolivia successful the playoffs successful March meant that Usood al-Rafidayn reached their archetypal World Cup finals since 1986, a singular accomplishment considering the 2026 tourney volition besides beryllium conscionable their 2nd ever quality astatine the competition.

When Iraq competed astatine the World Cup successful 1986, they failed to instrumentality immoderate points from their 3 radical clashes, suffering defeats to Paraguay, Belgium and Mexico portion scoring conscionable once.

The federation get successful North America having played 3 friendlies since their triumph against Bolivia, with Iraq beating Andorra 1-0 successful May, drafting 1-1 with Spain connected June 4 and losing 2-0 against Venezuela 4 days later.

It should beryllium noted that they person faced conscionable 8 teams extracurricular of their confederation since November 2022, and they lone won doubly successful that time, losing 4 of those matches.

Norway's way crossed the Atlantic mightiness person been fraught with challenges successful anterior years fixed they were successful a qualification radical with Italy, but the Scandinavians' flawless run saw them cod each 24 points connected offer.

Boss Stale Solbakken's broadside were rampant successful their qualifying group, uncovering the backmost of the nett 37 times, and they lone conceded 5 goals successful that stretch.

Landslaget person endured mixed fortunes successful the 4 friendlies that person played since the extremity of the qualifiers, losing 2-1 against the Netherlands, drawing Morocco and Switzerland but winning 3-1 against Sweden.

The Norwegians' astir caller World Cup finals quality was astatine the 1998 variation successful France, wherever they precocious retired of their radical but exited astatine the circular of 16 signifier pursuing 1-0 nonaccomplishment against Italy.

Tuesday volition beryllium the archetypal ever gathering betwixt Norway and Iraq, but though it is hard to marque judgements astir however they mightiness fare against each other, the European broadside are ranked 26 places higher successful 31st than their opponents successful FIFA's planetary table.

The past clip that the Norwegian encountered a squad nether the AFC banner was successful September 2023 against Jordan, and they comfortably won 6-0 connected the day.

Iraq signifier (all competitions):

Norway signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan is besides the team's captain, truthful portion the 35-year-old whitethorn beryllium past the highest of his powers, helium is acceptable to gain his 103rd cap.

The shot-stopper volition request to beryllium protected by cardinal defenders Zaid Tahseen and Rebin Sulaka astatine Boston Stadium, but midfielders Amir Al-Ammari and Zidane Iqbal indispensable besides beryllium acceptable to shield their defence.

In attack, it would not beryllium astonishing to spot striker Aymen Hussein supported by an onslaught featuring Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jasim and Ali Al-Hamadi.

Norway volition beryllium led by talismanic striker Erling Haaland, but helium volition not beryllium their lone limb successful the last 3rd connected Tuesday fixed helium whitethorn commencement alongside Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard volition pb his nationalist squad retired arsenic captain, and the midfielder is acceptable to beryllium joined by Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes.

Solbakken is expected to tract a four-man defence, with veteran Kristoffer Ajer a definite selection, and the centre-back could look alongside Torbjorn Heggem.

Iraq imaginable starting lineup:

Hassan; Ali, Tahseen, Sulaka, Doski; Al-Ammari, Iqbal; Bayesh, Jasim, Al-Hamadi; Hussein

Norway imaginable starting lineup:

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

We say: Iraq 1-3 Norway

Iraq volition person to beryllium resilient connected Tuesday if they person immoderate anticipation of stopping Haaland, but it is hard to look past the Norway striker.

Norway were outstanding successful the last 3rd successful their qualifying campaign, truthful a constituent whitethorn beryllium the champion that Iraq tin anticipation for, but marque definite to cheque retired the best World Cup betting sites for the latest odds.

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