FIFA World Cup 2026 Squads, Stats & Preview, TV Channel, Online Live Stream & Predictions

Iraq and Norway take theirs World Cup 2026 campaigns under way on Tuesday when they meet at Boston Stadium in Group I.

France are expected to be favorites to top the group, making this contest potentially decisive in the battle for second place.

Iraq are appearing in just their second World Cup final and their first since 1986. The Lions of Mesopotamia endured a difficult qualifying journey, changing managers midway through the process, before Graham Arnold guided them through the latter stages and eventually into the inter-confederation play-offs, where victory over Bolivia secured their place in North America.

The Asian side have shown flashes of promise in recent months, including a respectable 1-1 draw against Spain in a pre-tournament friendly.

Meanwhile, Norway returned to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998 after an outstanding qualifying campaign. The Stale Solbakken side won all eight of their qualifying matches, scoring 37 goals and conceding just five in the process.

Led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Norway possess one of the most exciting attacking units at the tournament and will believe they have a real chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Their recent form has been mixed but the quality in the squad means expectations are high for their first group game.

World Cup 2026: Iraq vs Norway Squad News

Iraq captain Jalal Hasan is expected to start in goal and could win his 103rd international cap in the process.

The experienced goalkeeper should be protected by centre-backs Zaid Tahsin and Rebin Sulaka, while Amir Al-Amari and former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal are likely to anchor the midfield.

Aymen Hussain is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jassim and Stoke City striker Ali Al-Hamadi.

For Norway, Erling Haaland will lead the line as he looks to continue the prolific form that helped his country qualify for the World Cup.

Captain Martin Odegaard will start in midfield alongside Sander Berge and Fredrik Aursnes, while Antonio Noosa and Alexandre Sorlot are expected to provide attacking support.

Defensively, Kristoffer Ayer is likely to partner Torbjörn Hegem in central defense, with Leo Skerry Östigård also an option if Solbakken decides to rotate.