See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER Updated: 23:06 BST, 16 June 2026
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage as Norway get their World Cup campaign underway in Group I as they take on Iraq at Boston Stadium.Iraq are going long whenever they can - Al-Hamadi and Hussein are big, physical forwards who thrive on that.A chance for them to get the ball in the box now as Heggem gives away a foul - a mixed start for him so far.Hashem wins the first header and, at the second time of asking, Hussein heads over the bar. Tough one for him.Iraq 0-0 NorwayIraq, as we have seen so often from a lot of teams both domestically and internationally, get us started with a kick for touch.Immediately Nyland - formerly of the likes of Aston Villa - has to rush out to collect a ball over the top of the Norway defence.Odegaard is already dropping deep to try and get on the ball for his side, wearing the No 10 shirt for Norway. Haaland brings a ball down, but Hashem does so well to get the ball back to his goalkeeper.KICK-OFF: Iraq 0-0 NorwayRight then! We are underway.We're not actually too late in terms of the kick-off times, as we have been so far this tournament.A loud roar after the anthems - particularly from Haaland.A huge moment for these two sides.Jarred Gillett - a name familiar with Premier League fans - is on support VAR duty today.Here come the teams!The teams are on their ways out, and those massive flags are out too!It's time for the national anthems.Players get warmThe players have been out getting warm ahead of the game, which is now just 10 minutes away.My trusty Apple Weather app tells me it's 21 degrees Celsius in Boston - that's 70 in Fahrenheit.Not as hot as we've seen it elsewhere so far!Aguero: 'Haaland will be a legend'Sergio Aguero, former Man City and Argentina striker, speaking to Stake:A lot will depend on how his national team performs. I’ve always said football is a team game and that everyone is needed to achieve success.Haaland is a tremendous goal scorer with an incredible scoring ratio. If he can maintain that consistency and his national team achieves success, he will surely become a legend for the Norwegian people.The Viking Row!I'm not sure if that's its official name, but we're going with that. I think I've seen somewhere that it is.Large groups of Norway fans have shown they are well in the spirit of the World Cup, and representing their country loud and proud.I'll let you watch the video for yourself, but it's a good laugh!France WINThe other game in Group I is over, and France have got the job done with a 3-1 win over Senegal.It was a good game actually. Senegal were much the better side in the first-half and silenced France's attacking power.There was then a staggering penalty call when a foul wasn't given on Kylian Mbappe, but he scored soon after and Bradley Barcola made it two off the bench.Mbaye pulled one back late on with a fine stunning effort, but then Mbappe bagged an absolute rocket to put any threat of a comeback to bed.Reaction is on the site. Well worth catch up on if you missed it!The last 24 hoursIt's none-stop at the World Cup this summer with plenty of games coming each day.In the UK, we're running a story every morning at 7am BST titled 'World Cup Breakfast'. Think of it more as a 'World Cup Midnight Snack' if you're in the US.It wraps up everything that happened the day before and overnight - allow me to share with you today's.There's a round-up of the games, team of the day, pictures of the day, celebrity watch, previews of the next day, and more.Click here or below to read - it's free!Norway fans take over BostonWe've seen some brilliant fan takeovers this tournament so far and Norway have done it too.I think it makes it that much more special when you have been away for so long.They will bring the noise tonight!Solbakken: 'He dictates the tempo of our play'Stale Solbakken, Norway manager:When he is on the pitch he is a very, very important player for us, and he's our captain. He dictates, in many areas, the tempo of our play.For any coach to lead his country at the World Cup, it is perhaps the top thing. It’s the number one on the list. Hopefully we can live up to it, because if it’s a bad experience, then you don’t feel like that. Captain OdegaardI remember when Martin Odegaard was an exciting prospect coming through at Real Madrid.He stalled for a bit, but then really found his feet at Arsenal, and now he's a Premier League-winning captain.He's also the captain of Norway. A different leader to most, but one who commands and earns respect from his team-mates.And he is so important to this side. As I'm sure we will see.Key Updates
