The Possible Lineup of Norway to Face Iraq in the FIFA World Cup 2026

Norway returns to the World Cup after 28 years and faces Iraq in Foxborough, with Haaland and Ødegaard as key figures in Group I's debut.

The World Cup is starting for Norway

Norway and Iraq will begin their journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 this Tuesday, June 16, in Foxborough, United States. The match, corresponding to Group I, will be held at Gillette Stadium at 5 PM ET (2 PM PT), under the officiating of the Congolese Pierre Ghislain Atcho. Just moments before, France and Senegal will have played in this same zone, so both teams will take the field already knowing that result and with the obligation to score in their debut.

Last World Cup appearance

The Scandinavian team arrives with renewed hope after 28 years of absence from the World Cup. Their last participation had been in France 1998, where they reached the round of 16, the same achievement as in their historic debut in 1938. In this qualifying round, Norway surprised by leaving Italy in the playoffs, where the azzurri ended up falling to Bosnia. That qualification marked a milestone for a generation that has Erling Haaland as its emblem and Martin Ødegaard as its creative brain.

Expectations and Lineups

The expectation is enormous with Haaland as the figure of Manchester City until Pep Guardiola's departure; he will seek to transfer his goal-scoring voracity to the biggest stage in football. Next to him will be Alexander Sørloth, another powerful forward who completes a fearsome duo. Ødegaard, captain of Arsenal, will bring vision and leadership to the midfield, accompanied by Sander Berge and young talents like Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa.

Norway's probable lineup against Iraq is shaping up in a classic 4-4-2 formation, with Ørjan Nyland in goal; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, and David Møller Wolfe in defense; Oscar Bobb, Sander Berge, Martin Ødegaard, and Antonio Nusa in midfield; while Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth will be in attack.