Iraq’s Aymen Hussein in action with Norway’s Kristoffer Ajer, Sander Berge and Torbjorn Heggem.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Erling Haaland scored a brace on his World Cup debut as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) in their Group I match to make a winning return to the tournament 28 years after their last appearance.
Haaland netted either side of an Aymen Hussein leveller in the first half, before Leo Ostigard and a late Hussein own goal ensured all three points for the Norwegians.
Norway captain Martin Odegaard says he has no concerns about his fitness ahead of his side’s opening World Cup Group I match in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 16, 2026, his nation’s first game at the finals since 1998. With Haaland scoring the goals and Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield, Norway have made their way back to the top table of global football, but a run of injuries early in the year raised questions over the health of the midfielder who recently won the English Premier League title with Arsenal.
Iraq featured a balanced blend of experienced and rising European-based talents. Iraq have Ali Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein, Zidane Iqbal, Amir Al-Ammari and Ali Jassim in its ranks. Norway has dynamic young wingers and dependable defenders. The team has Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa, Julian Ryerson and Oscar Bobb which gave Norway a slight edge over Iraq.
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