Iraq vs Norway Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest World Cup Odds - Tuesday, June 16th
Iraq and Norway kick off their Group I campaigns in the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday afternoon. Read our lineups, team news, and Iraq vs. Norway prediction and best bet for Tuesday, June 16th.
OC Staff - June 16, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT
3 Minute ReadIraq vs Norway Prediction: Can Erling Haaland, Norway Grab Win in World Cup Debut?
Iraq and Norway kick off their Group I campaigns in the FIFA World Cup, currently occupying second and third place respectively in the group standings. This highly anticipated opening fixture is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 16th with kick-off set for 6 PM ET as both nations look to make a perfect start to the tournament.
Iraq vs Norway Form
The hosts enter this tournament following a 2-0 friendly defeat against Venezuela in their last outing. However, their general form over their last six matches shows resilience, including a credible 1-1 draw against Spain, a 1-0 victory over Andorra, and consecutive 2-1 wins against Bolivia and UAE, alongside a 1-1 draw with UAE.
The visitors warmed up for the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. Their form over the last six matches is highly encouraging, highlighted by a 3-1 victory over Sweden and a scoreless draw with Switzerland. Despite a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands, their competitive pedigree shone in late 2025 with emphatic 4-1 victories over both Italy and Estonia.
Iraq vs Norway Head to Head
As these two nations have never previously faced each other in international football, there are no past head-to-head results or historical encounters to analyze. This World Cup opener will mark a historic first meeting between the sides.
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Iraq vs. Norway Odds
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Iraq vs. Norway Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- How to Watch: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
Iraq vs Norway Probable Lineups
Iraq (4-1-3-2): Basil; Doski, Hashim, Tahseen, Ali; Iqbal; Jasim, Ammari, Farji; Hussein, Hamadi
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Wolfe, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson; Berg, Berge, Ødegaard; Nusa, Haaland, Sørloth
Iraq vs Norway Team News
The hosts are expected to start veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who recently celebrated his 100th cap. In midfield, Zidane Iqbal will provide technical quality, while the attacking threat will be spearheaded by Aymen Hussein alongside Hamadi.
The visitors boast a star-studded squad, with Erling Haaland set to make his World Cup debut. Playmaker Martin Odegaard will pull the strings in midfield alongside Sander Berge and Kristoffer Ajer. Alexander Sorloth starts on the right flank, leaving Oscar Bobb and Jorgen Strand Larsen on the bench despite the latter scoring twice against Sweden.
Prediction: Iraq 0-3 Norway
The home side faces a monumental task in their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. While they showed defensive grit in their draw against Spain, their recent 2-0 loss to Venezuela highlighted limitations in the final third. The away side, returning to the world stage after a 28-year absence, possesses devastating offensive power. With the creative genius of Martin Odegaard pulling the strings and Erling Haaland leading the line, the visitors' superior technical quality and physical presence should see them break down the hosts' defensive block with ease, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Best Bet: Norway to Win to Nil (-138) Check out the best odds on bet365 Sportsbook
Given the predicted 3-0 scoreline, backing the visitors to win without conceding offers excellent value. The hosts struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in their recent defeat to Venezuela, and breaching a defensive unit marshalled by Kristoffer Ajer will prove a bridge too far for the Asian nation.
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