The Norway national team decisively defeated the Iraq national team in the first match of Group I in the 2026 World Cup.
In the opening Group I match of the 2026 World Cup on the morning of Tuesday, 17 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Norway faced off fiercely against Iraq.
In the first half, at the 29th minute, Norway took the lead 1-0 as David Møller Wolfe crossed the ball from the left to the far post, where Erling Haaland charged in to score without missing.
Then, at the 39th minute, Iraq equalized 1-1 with a header from Ayman Hussein. But at the 43rd minute, Norway regained the lead 2-1 thanks to Erling Haaland’s persistence pressing near the opponent’s goal, causing the goalkeeper to kick the ball into his own net. The half ended with that score.
Returning for the second half, at the 76th minute, Norway extended their lead to 3-1 as Martin Ødegaard delivered a right-side corner kick to the near post where Leo Östigård headed the ball in.
That was not all; during stoppage time at the 90+6th minute, Norway increased their lead to 4-1 following an own goal by Ayman Hussein as he attempted a clearance.
The game ended with Norway thrashing Iraq 4-1, moving to the top of Group I.