Iraq and Norway will meet on June 16, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in what promises to be one of the more emotionally charged Group I openers of the expanded FIFA World Cup. For Iraq, it’s a return to the tournament after a 40-year absence. For Norway, the wait has been a comparatively modest 28 years.
Two long roads back to the biggest stage
Iraq’s last World Cup appearance came in 1986, a tournament hosted by Mexico during a period when the country was embroiled in a devastating war with Iran. Norway’s last appearance came at France 1998, where they famously beat Brazil 2-1 in the group stage before bowing out in the Round of 16.
The 2026 tournament’s expanded format, which increases the field to 48 teams, has been specifically designed to bring more nations into the fold.
Norway’s firepower versus Iraq’s resilience
