This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Please gamble responsibly, 18+
This fixture brings together two teams who are returning to the World Cup following a long absence. Iraq are playing in their first World Cup since 1986, while Norway haven’t featured in the competition since France '98. Given the competitive nature of their group, which also features African giants Senegal, both teams know that a victory on the opening matchday could provide a significant advantage in the race for qualification.
Iraq navigated a long road to secure their ticket to this summer's World Cup. The Lions of Mesopotamia came through several qualifying rounds before sealing their place with an intercontinental play-off win over Bolivia (2-1). Their pre-tournament friendlies produced a mixed bag of results, with a 1-0 victory over Andorra and an encouraging draw against Spain overshadowed by a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela. The Iraqis will be relying heavily on the experience of goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who has acquired over 100 international caps, while all-time top scorer Aymen Hussein and former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal are likely to also play a key role.
Flashscore is on Youtube!
World Cup match analysis in under 60 seconds, powered by Opta — that's Flashscore Edge. New episodes throughout the tournament.
Want the full picture? Interviews, tactical deep dives and tournament coverage on Flashscore Main.
Meanwhile, Norway travelled to North America in confident spirits. Having been absent from FIFA's flagship competition for almost three decades, the Landslaget impressively won all eight of their qualifying matches. Ståle Solbakken’s men notably beat Italy twice and recorded a spectacular 11-1 win over Moldova.
In March, they narrowly lost to the Netherlands before being held to a goalless draw by Switzerland. The Norwegians then bounced back at the start of June with a convincing 3-1 win over Sweden, before ending their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Morocco (1-1). Driven by a golden generation of players, the Scandinavian outfit are able to lean on the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa and Sander Berge.
Iraq v Norway – Predictions
Erling Haaland to score anytime: 2/5 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
bet365
One of the UK's leading bookmakers. See the latest welcome offers and sign-up details.
Claim your bet365 bonus | bet365 review | Flashscore's betting hub
18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
Norway to win
Norway head into this match as clear favourites.
England were the only other side in the entire UEFA qualifying section to win all of their qualifying matches, but Thomas Tuchel's men weren't quite as lethal in attack. The Landslaget netted 37 times at an average of 4.6 goals per match, a record for any European nation who have played at least four fixtures during a single World Cup qualifying campaign. With the likes of Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa in their ranks, the Norwegians pack a real punch in the final third.
Iraq's only other World Cup appearance came in 1986, when they finished bottom of their group thanks to three straight defeats.
Prediction: Norway to win: 1/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Norway win the match.
Erling Haaland to score anytime
Erling Haaland seems destined to add to his growing international tally on Monday evening. The Manchester City star concluded European qualifying at the summit of the scoring charts, netting an eye-watering 16 goals in just eight appearances. That return was double the amount managed by the campaign's joint second-top scorers, with Harry Kane, Memphis Depay, and Marko Arnautović all claiming eight goals a piece.
Norway's talismanic striker is also coming off the back of yet another prolific Premier League season, finishing with 27 goals. Already his country's record all-time scorer with 55 goals in just 50 caps, there seems to be no limit to the 25-year-old's scoring potential. Haaland relishes the service he receives from Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who was the most creative player in European qualifying with seven assists overall. This effective attacking partnership was a key factor in Norway reaching this summer's finals.
Prediction: Erling Haaland to score anytime: 2/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Erling Haaland scores during the match.
Goals galore
Norway’s recent attacking stats suggest they'll play on the front foot from the first whistle. The Scandinavians are capable of ripping apart any defence in world football on their day, so Iraq's backline will likely have their work cut out.
Nevertheless, the former Asian champions also have several strong attacking assets. Experienced centre-forward Aymen Hussein recorded nine direct goal contributions during qualifying, while KS Cracovia's Amir Al-Ammari weighed in with a crucial assist during the early stages of Iraq's intercontinental playoff tie with Bolivia.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals: 4/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if more than three goals are scored during the match, regardless of the final result.
Iraq v Norway – Match result odds
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Betting on World Cup 2026
FIFA 2026 World Cup takes place from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico. You'll find some of the best promotions and bonuses on the market on Flashscore!
Predictions and odds | Where to watch the World Cup | Betting offers and bonuses | Best World Cup betting sites | Betting Guides | World Cup Scores